Meant For Someone Else; Chapter Seven
Title: Meant For Someone Else
Parings: YooSu, possible OT3
Genre: angst, romance
Rating: This chapter...PG-13 for implications of murder.
Summary: Kim Corporation and Park Enterprises are two of the most powerful businesses in South Korea. What happens when the heir to one empire gets married to the daughter of the other? Worse yet--what happens when the groom doesn't fall in love with the bride...but with her BROTHER?
Chapter Seven
“Mr. Shim, Mr. Park says he’ll be in the lobby in ten minutes.”
Changmin nodded, smiling absently at his secretary when she poked her head in. “Yes, thank you Bo Mi, tell him I’ll be there shortly.” The door shut quietly and Changmin saved his work on his computer, copying onto several encrypted hard drives. Well, not all of it was work. Most of it was, but Changmin had learned his lesson. It was foolish of him to assume that no one would dare go through his personal files. He had to remember that there were some fools stupid enough to incur his wrath-the first being Park Yoochun. He’d do better in taking care of his ‘Special Videos’.
Changmin gave out a number of instructions for Bo Mi to follow in preparation for the Marketing Department’s bi-monthly staff development workshop the following day and left his office hurriedly, aware that he’d kept his hyungs waiting for longer than ten minutes. He assumed Jaejoong hyung would be joining them for dinner and was correct in his assumption when, after cursing the irritating choice of elevator music that only served to take his humor on a downward turn, he found the other man tapping his foot impatiently in the lobby.
“Well I’m glad someone decided to show up.” Jaejoong scowled, pulling his nearly-feminine features into something that wasn’t quite as pretty. “Where the hell is Yoochun?”
Changmin knew better to open his mouth, lest a sarcastic remark slip out. Usually he wouldn’t have been so inhibited. Except right know, his oldest hyung looked just about ready to commit murder-literally. So Changmin just shrugged, hoping that silence would be enough to keep him out of the line of fire. If Yoochun hyung was picking tonight’s venue, the food was sure to be delicious. Changmin at least wanted to eat one last gourmet meal before he died. Then, he could die happy.
“How dare he,” Jaejoong continued to fume, voice low and loud enough so that only Changmin could hear. It wouldn’t do for the other employees to hear him plot the death of their beloved President. “He invites you to dinner but doesn’t even bother showing up on time. Mickey Park Yoochun, you’d better watch your ass. When you get here, I swear I’ll…”
Changmin tried to tune the rest of it out, knowing by heart exactly what Jaejoong hyung would say next. Yoochun infuriated the other man on a daily basis, so it was easy to become accustomed to death threats. Sometimes, however, some of Jae hyung’s ideas were really creative and hard to ignore. Like now for example.
“Expensive restaurant…food poisoning or spiked wine? Wait, no-why waste perfectly good food on worthless-outdated-electronic-mogul-trash anyway? Where’s my wallet…I think I’ve still got that Death-For-Hire business card somewhere here…”
Thankfully, before Jaejoong could sift through his suit pockets for anything more deadly than a pen, Yoochun waltzed through the elevator doors. Almost immediately, Jaejoong’s eyes narrowed at the younger man, his annoyance and irritation more than apparent on his handsome face. “I’m glad you’ve deigned to grace us with your presence,” he sneered, sarcasm dripping in every word.
Yoochun just shrugged helplessly, knowing he was at fault but not quite guilty about it. “As the saying goes ‘better late than never’.” Jaejoong replied with words so colorful it made even Changmin-who’d watched too many videos to even be able to blush-flush pink around the collar. In his head, the maknae thought that Yoochun had watched more videos than he did. That or he seriously had a death wish. Yoochun hadn’t even blinked, going so far as to smirk-yes smirk, not a smile, a smirk. As in one of those half-patronizing, half-I’m-looking-down-on-you smirks. If Jaejoong hadn’t been so conscious of their surroundings, he would have flogged Yoochun right then and there.
“Tsk, tsk, hyung,” Yoochun clucked, “You kiss your mama with that mouth.”
“Mickey Park Yoochun,” Jaejoong glowered, “If you’re mother only knew half the things you’ve done with your mouth, she’d go into cardiac arrest. Don’t make me tell her about that time in-”
“Ahem!” Changmin cleared his throat loudly, deciding to cut in before the situation could escalate. “Hyung, dinner?”
Yoochun glanced at him, expression thankful, though that patronizing grin still sat on his face. Jaejoong seemed about ready to let out another litany of rated R cursing before Yoochun ushered the three of them into an awaiting limousine.
“Isn’t this a bit excessive?” Jaejoong bit out, irritation still marring his usually stoic features as they climbed into the long vehicle. “It’s just dinner. The guests aren’t even that exciting.” Almost instantly, he wanted to take them back, remembering a smooth baritone perfectly carried through twisting phone lines. Suddenly, he wasn’t so irritated anymore.
“Let me worry about being excessive,” Yoochun replied, tone smug because he knew the older man liked the limo too, but was too annoyed to say so.
“I, for one, don’t particularly care,” Changmin added to the conversation. “As long as the food is good, it doesn’t matter how we get there. Which restaurant are we going to? I hear there’s a place downtown serving excellent Japanese cuisine.”
Yoochun grinned at the suggestion. “How do you feel about a home-cooked meal?”
--
“Hye Bin-sshi,” Ri In called out to the girl sitting in her cubicle. The other woman didn’t hear her, too absorbed in her work, and Ri In had to call out again. “Hye Bin-sshi,” she said, rapping knuckles lightly against the entrance. “It’s already after five. You’re still here?”
At the question, Hye Bin looked up, slightly surprised to see her overseer , not noticing she’d come in. “Ah, yes.” She said with a slightly apologetic smile. “I haven’t done this kind of work in a long time and I kind of miss it so…”
“I understand,” Ri In replied kindly. “We’re all workaholics here. Have you eaten yet, Hye Bin-sshi?”
“Please, just call me Hye Bin. You’re older than me and you’re my boss, so its fine,” she added. “No, I haven’t eaten yet.”
“I figured.” Ri In took the seat in front of Hye Bin’s desk, making herself comfortable. “Are you waiting for Junsu?” At the direct question and the mention of her new husband’s name, Hye Bin blushed-something that Ri In didn’t fail to notice. What it could mean intriugued her, but she put the thought away, making a mental note to analyze it later. It wouldn’t do to ruminate on these things-not right now at least.
“Um…not really. I’m not sure. We haven’t actually spoken since this morning…and he didn’t say anything about eating at home so…” She flushed even redder this time, obviously embarrassed at having so little communication with her husband.
“I see,” Ri In said. “Well, knowing Junsu, he probably forgot you were here. I told you, we’re all workaholics. But you shouldn’t take it to heart though, he probably didn’t mean it. It’s just that recently he’s had to push back some important work to accommodate your wedding-not just him, but the whole company-so it’s pretty hectic around here right now. You chose a bad time to come back to work, I’ll tell you that.”
“Oh no, not at all,” Hye Bin denied. “This is better than staying home doing nothing-or worse: doing something completely useless. Besides, I like working and I miss it, so it’s all right.”
“Well, if that’s the case,” Ri said as she stood. “Would you like to share a drink with me? I’ve got some really good liqour stashed in my office but I’ve never had the occasion to actually drink any of it. This seems like a good time though.”
“Oh, well, I don’t know…”
“Come on,” Ri In prodded. “I haven’t properly congratulated you on your marriage yet, or done anything to welcome you to the office. Plus, it’s already after hours. A little drink won’t hurt you.”
“But…”
“Just one drink, really. I’m practically ordering you to do it. Wouldn’t want to say no to the boss now, would you?” Ri In smiled, the action softening her words so that they didn’t sound too much like a threat. In all honesty she liked the girl. Ri In had only met her today, but from what Junsu had said about her and witnessing the younger woman’s dedication and hard work, she couldn’t help but be impressed. Park Hye Bin-or Kim Hye Bin now-wasn’t some simpering little miss. She wasn’t the usual rich-girl-gone-venturing-into-the-workforce types. No, she was genuinely friendly and looked pretty diligent when it came to her tasks, so it wasn’t like Ri In could complain. Not that she would complain even if she had something to complain about. Still…
“Wait here, I’ll be right back.” She left quickly, taking long strides to her office. Thankfully, it was on the same floor and not very far away. The day was ending and as much as she loved her high-heeled shoes and how nice and shapely they made her calves look, her feet hurt like hell.
Ri In walked into her office, flicking on the light she’d turned off when she’d left not half an hour ago. She quickly took out the bottle of expensive brandy from inside the locked drawer of her desk, taking two short glasses with it. In no time, she was back in Hye Bin’s cubicle, holding up her gifts so Hye Bin could see.
“This is really good stuff,” Ri In said as she poured them a decent amount in each glass. “Seriously, you’ve got to try it.”
Hye Bin smiled hesitantly, not sure if what they were doing was appropriate, but not wanting to insult her new boss by declining. Ri In seemed like a nice person and was obviously a friend of Junsu’s. Ri In talked about her husband so casually, saying his name without any honorifics and smiling the whole time. Maybe she should have felt jealous at their obvious closeness, but all Hye Bin could feel was sadness. It wouldn’t be the first time that she felt like she wasn’t up to scratch. How is it that she knew almost nothing about Junsu, yet here she was married to him?
“Is there something wrong?” Ri In asked, noticing her companions far away eyes and gloomy expression. “You don’t like the brandy?”
“No, it’s not that!” Hye Bin took a large gulp of the liquid in her hand, trying to show her. Immediately, she regretted it. The room spun all of a sudden as the alcohol burned its way down her throat. “The brandy is fine. I was just-whoa..”
“Hey, hey, take it easy.” Ri In was by her side in a heartbeat, steadying the glass in Hye Bin’s hand. “You’re supposed to drink this stuff slowly! You’re not some kind of alcoholic are you?”
“What? No! I’m sorry, I just…” Ri In took the glass from her hand and placed it on the desk, leaning a hip on the side. She didn’t want to move back to her seat just yet. Hye Bin looked like she was about to faint or something equally unwanted. “I’m okay. I was just distracted and didn’t realize what I was doing.”
“I’ll say. Drink slowly next time, okay? You haven’t eaten yet either, the alcohol might not go down so well.” She went back to her seat, still watching the other girl. “So, you said you’re distracted. Care to tell me what’s on your mind?”
“Uh…well…”
“Go on, it’s okay. You don’t have to worry about it becoming office gossip or anything. I dislike rumors above all else when it comes to work. Besides, Junsu would kill me if you ever became office fodder-regardless of whether or not it’s my fault!”
“You talk about him so comfortably…” Maybe the alcohol was getting to her, maybe it was because of the lack of dinner, but the words were out of her mouth faster than she could think. She looked at Ri In, her face a mask of horror and embarrassment. She could not believe she had just said that out loud. Her companion remained quiet, however, her expression open and prodding. Hye Bin decided to continue, promising to blame it on the alcohol later.
“I just…he’s really nice and…he doesn’t…I don’t know-I guess it’s-ugh…” Hye Bin groaned, frustrated at not being able to voice her thoughts properly. “I’m sorry. I’m not making very much sense, am I?”
“No, you’re not,” Ri In said with a kind smile. She could see why Junsu would like her. Naturally, Ri In had assumed Hye Bin would be some spoiled rich girl-and to some extent she was-but it was obvious why people would find it hard to say no to her. She was both sides of a coin, sort of like a contradiction, but not. She was insecure, yet confident; timid, yet assertive; single-minded but brilliant. Quite like Junsu himself who tried so hard but didn’t always get the results he wanted.
He may not be in love with Hye Bin, but Ri In could definitely see it happening in the future.
“You’ve obviously got a lot on your chest, so how about we take this to dinner, huh? My treat.” Ri In smiled encouragingly, willing the girl to acquiesce.
“Oh, but I really don’t want to trouble you…”
“Don’t worry, you’re not. Think of it like a boss getting to know her new employee. That’s not bad right? Technically, good relations between co-workers is essential.”
“Bu Junsu…” Hye Bin said, reluctant but almost too desperate to talk to someone to turn down the offer. Ri In seemed like a nice person, and she and Junsu were obviously close. If they were going to be married, she had to at least get to know his friends, right?
“We’ll leave Junsu to his work. He’ll probably feel bad for forgetting about you and then he won’t get any work done-which isn’t good for anybody, trust me. Besides, you can always guilt trip him about it and that’s bound to be useful, if not highly amusing.”
Hye Bin couldn’t help but smile at the other woman’s logic. “Well, if you say so…”
“I do say so,” Ri In smiled. “Meet me in the lobby downstairs in ten minutes. My parents own a little Chinese restaurant downtown and even though they serve mainly Chinese food, my mom’s been in Korea too long. She serves some mean kimchi jigae.”
“I do like jigae…” Hye Bin returned Ri In’s smile, glad that she’d found a friend-even an unlikely one like her boss of all people. She gathered her things and quickly made her way to the lobby, happiness akin to the time before this whole married business welling inside her for the first time in a long time. She waited for her companion patiently in the cluster of cushioned chairs by the elevator, her fingers unconsciously playing the notes to a particular piano favorite. She didn’t have to wait long before the elevator dinged and out came Jang Ri In.
“Let’s go?” Ri In gestured towards the entrance, to which Hye Bin nodded and followed immediately. She stood up so quickly the grip she had on her belongings slipped and before she knew it, the contents of her bag were spilling all over the floor.
“Ah! I’m such a klutz! I’m so sorry!” quickly, she began gathering her things.
“No, no, it’s all right,” Ri In replied. “It’s not your fault. I just have that effect on people.”
Hye Bin couldn’t help but laugh at Ri In’s attempt to make her feel better-it was working. “I know I must be causing you a lot of trouble, coming into your department without any job specifications all of a sudden, and now being completely clumsy.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it,” Ri In placated. “You can make it up to me. Buy me dumplings. My mother cooks them so well but never wants to give me any for free! Can you believe it, her own daughter!”
“Of course! It would be my pleasure!” They once again headed towards the entrance of the building, smiling and talking about nothing in particular. If a random bystander had been watching them, it would have seemed like they’d known each other forever. No one would have guessed that the two women had only met a mere eight hours ago.
As they passed the front desk, Hye Bin caught the end of a conversation held by someone she’d never be able to mistake for anyone else. “-floor? Hyung, are you sure?” Hye Bin stopped, and listened to the voice carefully before turning around to confirm whom she was hearing. Ri In stopped at Hye Bin’s abrupt halt, a question on her face.
“Hyung, how could you just go there without even knowing where you’re going? What? Just because your office is at the top floor doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone else! Aish…! How is this my fault? You left me in the limo!”
The tall young man seemed to be unaware that he was being watched, three pairs of eyes trained on him. One pair belonged to the confused looking woman manning the front desk, seemingly unable to decide whether the man in front of her was some godly apparition. If only he didn’t have that horrible scowl on his face he’d be so much more good-looking. Another set of eyes flitted back and forth between the man and her companion, who was avidly staring at him. The last pair of eyes stared on, seemingly unable comprehend how it was possible that he was standing in front of her.
“Aish...all right, all right. Tell me what floor you’re on. Should have let Jaejoong hyung push you out of the limo while it was moving,” he muttered under his breath, heading for the elevator. “What? No, I didn’t say that. You’re just imagining things. Only Jaejoong hyung wants you dead. Did you know he’s got an assassin organization on speed dial? Yeah. On his phone it’s number-”
“Changmin?” The man in question spun around, not expecting his name to be called in what Yoochun had labeled as ‘Enemy Territory’. He was surprised to find a familiar face behind these enemy lines though.
“Nuna?”
--
“Hyung, where do you think it is?”
Jaejoong glowered, the question serving to anger him further than he already was. Their current predicament was abysmal. How could two executives of a successful company skulk around lost in another company? And a company they were supposed to be allied with! “I can’t believe you’re asking me that. How are you supposed to stage a siege without even knowing where your target is?”
Yoochun responded with an infuriating eye roll and snort. “What did you expect me to do? March up to the front desk and demand that they tell me where Kim Junsu’s office is so I can drag him out to dinner? Right. Like that would go over well.”
“It’s better than walking around the top floor of a hotel looking for a door that may or may not lead to the executive office.” They took another turn and jaejoong could swear he’d seen the same vase and mirror display three times over. Either Kim Junsu liked repetitive interior design or they were going around in circles. “Let’s just go Chunnie. You can drag this guy to dinner next time, when you’ve planned this whole thing out more carefully.”
Yoochun shook his head, the lighthearted demeanor from earlier slipping into something more serious. “I can’t put this off any longer hyung. Kim Junsu and I have to come face to face today. I’ve already waited too long to make my presence known.”
“And what, you couldn’t call for an arranged meeting or something?” Jaejoong questioned, his own somber character coming to the surface. “I really don’t understand what all this sneaking around is for.”
“I can’t call for a meeting hyung, that’s too much fanfare.” Yoochun answered, feet walking and eyes still searching for the door that lead to Kim Junsu. “I need to catch him off guard, observe him in his natural habitat before deciding on a course of action. He can’t know I’m coming for him.”
Why did that sound so wrong? Jaejoong thought. “This better not be some mindless game Yoochun-ah,” Jaejoong said quietly, the words louder than they should have been in such a quiet corridor. “I could be at home, taking care of something more important.”
“I know hyung, I know,” Yoochun replied, guilt at keeping the older man worming its way into his thoughts for the first time. He knew how much his hyung was putting off just by being here.“But I have to do this. It may not make sense to you, but this is important to me. Kim Junsu…”
“Yeah, yeah. I get it,” Jaejoong said, suddenly regretting the serious turn that their conversation had taken. If Yoochun was going to lay siege, he couldn’t be all depressed. It wouldn’t do anyone much good. “Just-hey, what’s that?” He walked forward, eying a nondescript door. It looked much like the other doors, except it wasn’t decorated and there was no number plate on the side. It was too plain and that’s what had caught his eye.
Yoochun came up at his elbow, peering over his shoulder. “I think it’s…a door.”
“Well, obviously. Really Chunnie, your powers of deduction astound me. Of course it’s a door!” Jaejoong replied sarcastically. “But I don’t think it’s another suite. I think it just might be-” Ding!
What they had originally thought was an entrance to another hotel room opened up to become a spacious elevator. What had been the doorbell was actually the knob to signal the elevator. The two men grinned at each other before stepping in simultaneously. “Hyung, what would I do without you?”
“Yes, what would you indeed?”
There were only three buttons on the wall, one labeled P which they assumed meant Parking, so no use going there. Another, the one in the middle, was labeled O which they didn’t even bother trying to decipher. The last, upper most button and the one Yoochun pressed, was labeled CEO-that certainly didn’t require much thinking. “All right, so you go for the secretary since Changmin’s not here. I did want you to come in with me, but now that I’ve had some time to think things over, it would be best if I handled Kim Junsu on my own.”
“I wish you’d think other things over,” Jaejoong sighed. “Really, is any of this truly necessary? We’ve always done things unconventionally, but would it kill you to do things normally for once?”
“Weren’t you the one who’s always said that ‘normal’ is overrated?”
“Since when have you ever listened to me?”
“I always listen, hyung.” And before Jaejoong could form a suitable reply the elevator doors opened and the show was on.
The moment they stepped off the private elevator, they were plunged into a simple, yet futuristic style waiting room, complete with a large, rounded secretary’s desk and a cluster of comfortable looking sofas. At their entrance, the pretty secretary stood, obviously startled, one hand already on a sleek cordless phone, doubtlessly itching to call security.
“Excuse me gentlemen, but this is a private office and unless you have an appointment or were called in, I would advise you to leave immediately.” During her little speech-which was obviously practiced though they didn’t think she’d ever had to use it before-Yoochun had sent the older man a look that spoke volumes. Jaejoong caught it and in the blink of an eye, his usual charm-the one he reserved for tough business negotiations and intimate acquaintances-was turned on full blast.
“I assure you Miss…” he took a quick glance at her nameplate, “Hee Bon, we certainly have an appointment and it’s quite over due. Now, would be so kind to tell us if Mr. Kim Junsu is in his office.”
Hee Bon, flustered at the attention she was getting from such a highly attractive man, couldn’t seem to form her sentences properly. “Why-yes, yes he is but-” It was all the information Yoochun needed before he was striding purposefully for the large oak doors. Only a few meters away and he’d get exactly what he wanted. Who knew fulfillment could taste so sweet? “I don’t seem to have you penciled in-Sir! Sir, you’re not allowed to go in there!” Hee Bon called out when she saw Yoochun heading for the inner office. When he didn’t seem inclined to listen, her hand flew to the cordless, only to be stilled by a pale hand.
“Now, now, no need to be rash,” Jaejoong said, oozing charm and smiling a megawatt smile. “There’s no need for security to be called, right? We’re not bad people. We just want a word with your boss.”
“I-I wasn’t g-going to c-call security,” Hee Bon stammered, unable to look away from the handsome man in front of her. The hand on hers was warm and the feeling of it sent her heart racing.
“Oh? And who were you going to call?”
“M-mr. Jung.”
Jaejoong paused, the name registering a million other thoughts in his head. “Jung?” He repeated. “As in, Jung Yunho?” the flustered secretary flushed and nodded, to which Jaejoong smiled. If Yoochun was going to play his games, then Jaejoong might as well play too. Removing his hand from Hee Bon’s person-a singular fact that the secretary secretly couldn’t help regretting-and replied:
“Wonderful. Call him.”
Meanwhile, Yoochun had reached the oak doors, oblivious to the scheming by the older man just a few feet from him. So intent was he on his goal that little else mattered to him than the man on the other side of the wooden barrier. Success so close he could almost taste it, Yoochun pushed open the doors without much further ado. He walked in to find a startled Kim Junsu perusing what looked like the top of a mountain of papers. The other man stood immediately, not liking the aura Yoochun brought with him.
“Who are you?” Yoochun smirked at the question that was delivered so rudely. He couldn’t blame him really, there was no way Kim Junsu could have expected him. Still, he was a little disappointed to find out that the other man did not know him.
“Shame, shame,” he drawled, walking into the office like he owned it. “Don’t you recognize me?” At Junsu’s lack of recognition, he approached the desk, laying both palms flat on the smooth surface. Yoochun, smirk artfully in place, leaned forward until their faces were only inches apart, before breathing:
“Mickey Park. We meet again.”
A/N: wahh!! So sorry! I know I said I’d update every weekend, but there was just too much going on! I didn’t have a chance to go online and post! Still, I tried to make up for it with an extra long chapter! The YooSu finally meet! But I can’t help but feel their first encounter was a little anticlimactic, you know? But~this weekend comes the good stuff =]] like, the real thing, you know? I mean, yeahh, they meet now, but the next chapter is where the ball really gets going. Yoo meets Su and JaeHoMin finally encounter each other. I promise to try and post as usual, but it’s the last week of the quarter and all major projects and exams will be given/ turned in, so yeahh…it might come a little late again. Plus, my Muse is being SUCH a female dog. She’s left me and I’m trying to coax her back but she needs a bit more prodding. I will try though =]]
Comments are <3?
=D
Parings: YooSu, possible OT3
Genre: angst, romance
Rating: This chapter...PG-13 for implications of murder.
Summary: Kim Corporation and Park Enterprises are two of the most powerful businesses in South Korea. What happens when the heir to one empire gets married to the daughter of the other? Worse yet--what happens when the groom doesn't fall in love with the bride...but with her BROTHER?
Chapter Seven
“Mr. Shim, Mr. Park says he’ll be in the lobby in ten minutes.”
Changmin nodded, smiling absently at his secretary when she poked her head in. “Yes, thank you Bo Mi, tell him I’ll be there shortly.” The door shut quietly and Changmin saved his work on his computer, copying onto several encrypted hard drives. Well, not all of it was work. Most of it was, but Changmin had learned his lesson. It was foolish of him to assume that no one would dare go through his personal files. He had to remember that there were some fools stupid enough to incur his wrath-the first being Park Yoochun. He’d do better in taking care of his ‘Special Videos’.
Changmin gave out a number of instructions for Bo Mi to follow in preparation for the Marketing Department’s bi-monthly staff development workshop the following day and left his office hurriedly, aware that he’d kept his hyungs waiting for longer than ten minutes. He assumed Jaejoong hyung would be joining them for dinner and was correct in his assumption when, after cursing the irritating choice of elevator music that only served to take his humor on a downward turn, he found the other man tapping his foot impatiently in the lobby.
“Well I’m glad someone decided to show up.” Jaejoong scowled, pulling his nearly-feminine features into something that wasn’t quite as pretty. “Where the hell is Yoochun?”
Changmin knew better to open his mouth, lest a sarcastic remark slip out. Usually he wouldn’t have been so inhibited. Except right know, his oldest hyung looked just about ready to commit murder-literally. So Changmin just shrugged, hoping that silence would be enough to keep him out of the line of fire. If Yoochun hyung was picking tonight’s venue, the food was sure to be delicious. Changmin at least wanted to eat one last gourmet meal before he died. Then, he could die happy.
“How dare he,” Jaejoong continued to fume, voice low and loud enough so that only Changmin could hear. It wouldn’t do for the other employees to hear him plot the death of their beloved President. “He invites you to dinner but doesn’t even bother showing up on time. Mickey Park Yoochun, you’d better watch your ass. When you get here, I swear I’ll…”
Changmin tried to tune the rest of it out, knowing by heart exactly what Jaejoong hyung would say next. Yoochun infuriated the other man on a daily basis, so it was easy to become accustomed to death threats. Sometimes, however, some of Jae hyung’s ideas were really creative and hard to ignore. Like now for example.
“Expensive restaurant…food poisoning or spiked wine? Wait, no-why waste perfectly good food on worthless-outdated-electronic-mogul-trash anyway? Where’s my wallet…I think I’ve still got that Death-For-Hire business card somewhere here…”
Thankfully, before Jaejoong could sift through his suit pockets for anything more deadly than a pen, Yoochun waltzed through the elevator doors. Almost immediately, Jaejoong’s eyes narrowed at the younger man, his annoyance and irritation more than apparent on his handsome face. “I’m glad you’ve deigned to grace us with your presence,” he sneered, sarcasm dripping in every word.
Yoochun just shrugged helplessly, knowing he was at fault but not quite guilty about it. “As the saying goes ‘better late than never’.” Jaejoong replied with words so colorful it made even Changmin-who’d watched too many videos to even be able to blush-flush pink around the collar. In his head, the maknae thought that Yoochun had watched more videos than he did. That or he seriously had a death wish. Yoochun hadn’t even blinked, going so far as to smirk-yes smirk, not a smile, a smirk. As in one of those half-patronizing, half-I’m-looking-down-on-you smirks. If Jaejoong hadn’t been so conscious of their surroundings, he would have flogged Yoochun right then and there.
“Tsk, tsk, hyung,” Yoochun clucked, “You kiss your mama with that mouth.”
“Mickey Park Yoochun,” Jaejoong glowered, “If you’re mother only knew half the things you’ve done with your mouth, she’d go into cardiac arrest. Don’t make me tell her about that time in-”
“Ahem!” Changmin cleared his throat loudly, deciding to cut in before the situation could escalate. “Hyung, dinner?”
Yoochun glanced at him, expression thankful, though that patronizing grin still sat on his face. Jaejoong seemed about ready to let out another litany of rated R cursing before Yoochun ushered the three of them into an awaiting limousine.
“Isn’t this a bit excessive?” Jaejoong bit out, irritation still marring his usually stoic features as they climbed into the long vehicle. “It’s just dinner. The guests aren’t even that exciting.” Almost instantly, he wanted to take them back, remembering a smooth baritone perfectly carried through twisting phone lines. Suddenly, he wasn’t so irritated anymore.
“Let me worry about being excessive,” Yoochun replied, tone smug because he knew the older man liked the limo too, but was too annoyed to say so.
“I, for one, don’t particularly care,” Changmin added to the conversation. “As long as the food is good, it doesn’t matter how we get there. Which restaurant are we going to? I hear there’s a place downtown serving excellent Japanese cuisine.”
Yoochun grinned at the suggestion. “How do you feel about a home-cooked meal?”
--
“Hye Bin-sshi,” Ri In called out to the girl sitting in her cubicle. The other woman didn’t hear her, too absorbed in her work, and Ri In had to call out again. “Hye Bin-sshi,” she said, rapping knuckles lightly against the entrance. “It’s already after five. You’re still here?”
At the question, Hye Bin looked up, slightly surprised to see her overseer , not noticing she’d come in. “Ah, yes.” She said with a slightly apologetic smile. “I haven’t done this kind of work in a long time and I kind of miss it so…”
“I understand,” Ri In replied kindly. “We’re all workaholics here. Have you eaten yet, Hye Bin-sshi?”
“Please, just call me Hye Bin. You’re older than me and you’re my boss, so its fine,” she added. “No, I haven’t eaten yet.”
“I figured.” Ri In took the seat in front of Hye Bin’s desk, making herself comfortable. “Are you waiting for Junsu?” At the direct question and the mention of her new husband’s name, Hye Bin blushed-something that Ri In didn’t fail to notice. What it could mean intriugued her, but she put the thought away, making a mental note to analyze it later. It wouldn’t do to ruminate on these things-not right now at least.
“Um…not really. I’m not sure. We haven’t actually spoken since this morning…and he didn’t say anything about eating at home so…” She flushed even redder this time, obviously embarrassed at having so little communication with her husband.
“I see,” Ri In said. “Well, knowing Junsu, he probably forgot you were here. I told you, we’re all workaholics. But you shouldn’t take it to heart though, he probably didn’t mean it. It’s just that recently he’s had to push back some important work to accommodate your wedding-not just him, but the whole company-so it’s pretty hectic around here right now. You chose a bad time to come back to work, I’ll tell you that.”
“Oh no, not at all,” Hye Bin denied. “This is better than staying home doing nothing-or worse: doing something completely useless. Besides, I like working and I miss it, so it’s all right.”
“Well, if that’s the case,” Ri said as she stood. “Would you like to share a drink with me? I’ve got some really good liqour stashed in my office but I’ve never had the occasion to actually drink any of it. This seems like a good time though.”
“Oh, well, I don’t know…”
“Come on,” Ri In prodded. “I haven’t properly congratulated you on your marriage yet, or done anything to welcome you to the office. Plus, it’s already after hours. A little drink won’t hurt you.”
“But…”
“Just one drink, really. I’m practically ordering you to do it. Wouldn’t want to say no to the boss now, would you?” Ri In smiled, the action softening her words so that they didn’t sound too much like a threat. In all honesty she liked the girl. Ri In had only met her today, but from what Junsu had said about her and witnessing the younger woman’s dedication and hard work, she couldn’t help but be impressed. Park Hye Bin-or Kim Hye Bin now-wasn’t some simpering little miss. She wasn’t the usual rich-girl-gone-venturing-into-the-workforce types. No, she was genuinely friendly and looked pretty diligent when it came to her tasks, so it wasn’t like Ri In could complain. Not that she would complain even if she had something to complain about. Still…
“Wait here, I’ll be right back.” She left quickly, taking long strides to her office. Thankfully, it was on the same floor and not very far away. The day was ending and as much as she loved her high-heeled shoes and how nice and shapely they made her calves look, her feet hurt like hell.
Ri In walked into her office, flicking on the light she’d turned off when she’d left not half an hour ago. She quickly took out the bottle of expensive brandy from inside the locked drawer of her desk, taking two short glasses with it. In no time, she was back in Hye Bin’s cubicle, holding up her gifts so Hye Bin could see.
“This is really good stuff,” Ri In said as she poured them a decent amount in each glass. “Seriously, you’ve got to try it.”
Hye Bin smiled hesitantly, not sure if what they were doing was appropriate, but not wanting to insult her new boss by declining. Ri In seemed like a nice person and was obviously a friend of Junsu’s. Ri In talked about her husband so casually, saying his name without any honorifics and smiling the whole time. Maybe she should have felt jealous at their obvious closeness, but all Hye Bin could feel was sadness. It wouldn’t be the first time that she felt like she wasn’t up to scratch. How is it that she knew almost nothing about Junsu, yet here she was married to him?
“Is there something wrong?” Ri In asked, noticing her companions far away eyes and gloomy expression. “You don’t like the brandy?”
“No, it’s not that!” Hye Bin took a large gulp of the liquid in her hand, trying to show her. Immediately, she regretted it. The room spun all of a sudden as the alcohol burned its way down her throat. “The brandy is fine. I was just-whoa..”
“Hey, hey, take it easy.” Ri In was by her side in a heartbeat, steadying the glass in Hye Bin’s hand. “You’re supposed to drink this stuff slowly! You’re not some kind of alcoholic are you?”
“What? No! I’m sorry, I just…” Ri In took the glass from her hand and placed it on the desk, leaning a hip on the side. She didn’t want to move back to her seat just yet. Hye Bin looked like she was about to faint or something equally unwanted. “I’m okay. I was just distracted and didn’t realize what I was doing.”
“I’ll say. Drink slowly next time, okay? You haven’t eaten yet either, the alcohol might not go down so well.” She went back to her seat, still watching the other girl. “So, you said you’re distracted. Care to tell me what’s on your mind?”
“Uh…well…”
“Go on, it’s okay. You don’t have to worry about it becoming office gossip or anything. I dislike rumors above all else when it comes to work. Besides, Junsu would kill me if you ever became office fodder-regardless of whether or not it’s my fault!”
“You talk about him so comfortably…” Maybe the alcohol was getting to her, maybe it was because of the lack of dinner, but the words were out of her mouth faster than she could think. She looked at Ri In, her face a mask of horror and embarrassment. She could not believe she had just said that out loud. Her companion remained quiet, however, her expression open and prodding. Hye Bin decided to continue, promising to blame it on the alcohol later.
“I just…he’s really nice and…he doesn’t…I don’t know-I guess it’s-ugh…” Hye Bin groaned, frustrated at not being able to voice her thoughts properly. “I’m sorry. I’m not making very much sense, am I?”
“No, you’re not,” Ri In said with a kind smile. She could see why Junsu would like her. Naturally, Ri In had assumed Hye Bin would be some spoiled rich girl-and to some extent she was-but it was obvious why people would find it hard to say no to her. She was both sides of a coin, sort of like a contradiction, but not. She was insecure, yet confident; timid, yet assertive; single-minded but brilliant. Quite like Junsu himself who tried so hard but didn’t always get the results he wanted.
He may not be in love with Hye Bin, but Ri In could definitely see it happening in the future.
“You’ve obviously got a lot on your chest, so how about we take this to dinner, huh? My treat.” Ri In smiled encouragingly, willing the girl to acquiesce.
“Oh, but I really don’t want to trouble you…”
“Don’t worry, you’re not. Think of it like a boss getting to know her new employee. That’s not bad right? Technically, good relations between co-workers is essential.”
“Bu Junsu…” Hye Bin said, reluctant but almost too desperate to talk to someone to turn down the offer. Ri In seemed like a nice person, and she and Junsu were obviously close. If they were going to be married, she had to at least get to know his friends, right?
“We’ll leave Junsu to his work. He’ll probably feel bad for forgetting about you and then he won’t get any work done-which isn’t good for anybody, trust me. Besides, you can always guilt trip him about it and that’s bound to be useful, if not highly amusing.”
Hye Bin couldn’t help but smile at the other woman’s logic. “Well, if you say so…”
“I do say so,” Ri In smiled. “Meet me in the lobby downstairs in ten minutes. My parents own a little Chinese restaurant downtown and even though they serve mainly Chinese food, my mom’s been in Korea too long. She serves some mean kimchi jigae.”
“I do like jigae…” Hye Bin returned Ri In’s smile, glad that she’d found a friend-even an unlikely one like her boss of all people. She gathered her things and quickly made her way to the lobby, happiness akin to the time before this whole married business welling inside her for the first time in a long time. She waited for her companion patiently in the cluster of cushioned chairs by the elevator, her fingers unconsciously playing the notes to a particular piano favorite. She didn’t have to wait long before the elevator dinged and out came Jang Ri In.
“Let’s go?” Ri In gestured towards the entrance, to which Hye Bin nodded and followed immediately. She stood up so quickly the grip she had on her belongings slipped and before she knew it, the contents of her bag were spilling all over the floor.
“Ah! I’m such a klutz! I’m so sorry!” quickly, she began gathering her things.
“No, no, it’s all right,” Ri In replied. “It’s not your fault. I just have that effect on people.”
Hye Bin couldn’t help but laugh at Ri In’s attempt to make her feel better-it was working. “I know I must be causing you a lot of trouble, coming into your department without any job specifications all of a sudden, and now being completely clumsy.”
“Hey, don’t worry about it,” Ri In placated. “You can make it up to me. Buy me dumplings. My mother cooks them so well but never wants to give me any for free! Can you believe it, her own daughter!”
“Of course! It would be my pleasure!” They once again headed towards the entrance of the building, smiling and talking about nothing in particular. If a random bystander had been watching them, it would have seemed like they’d known each other forever. No one would have guessed that the two women had only met a mere eight hours ago.
As they passed the front desk, Hye Bin caught the end of a conversation held by someone she’d never be able to mistake for anyone else. “-floor? Hyung, are you sure?” Hye Bin stopped, and listened to the voice carefully before turning around to confirm whom she was hearing. Ri In stopped at Hye Bin’s abrupt halt, a question on her face.
“Hyung, how could you just go there without even knowing where you’re going? What? Just because your office is at the top floor doesn’t mean it’s the same for everyone else! Aish…! How is this my fault? You left me in the limo!”
The tall young man seemed to be unaware that he was being watched, three pairs of eyes trained on him. One pair belonged to the confused looking woman manning the front desk, seemingly unable to decide whether the man in front of her was some godly apparition. If only he didn’t have that horrible scowl on his face he’d be so much more good-looking. Another set of eyes flitted back and forth between the man and her companion, who was avidly staring at him. The last pair of eyes stared on, seemingly unable comprehend how it was possible that he was standing in front of her.
“Aish...all right, all right. Tell me what floor you’re on. Should have let Jaejoong hyung push you out of the limo while it was moving,” he muttered under his breath, heading for the elevator. “What? No, I didn’t say that. You’re just imagining things. Only Jaejoong hyung wants you dead. Did you know he’s got an assassin organization on speed dial? Yeah. On his phone it’s number-”
“Changmin?” The man in question spun around, not expecting his name to be called in what Yoochun had labeled as ‘Enemy Territory’. He was surprised to find a familiar face behind these enemy lines though.
“Nuna?”
--
“Hyung, where do you think it is?”
Jaejoong glowered, the question serving to anger him further than he already was. Their current predicament was abysmal. How could two executives of a successful company skulk around lost in another company? And a company they were supposed to be allied with! “I can’t believe you’re asking me that. How are you supposed to stage a siege without even knowing where your target is?”
Yoochun responded with an infuriating eye roll and snort. “What did you expect me to do? March up to the front desk and demand that they tell me where Kim Junsu’s office is so I can drag him out to dinner? Right. Like that would go over well.”
“It’s better than walking around the top floor of a hotel looking for a door that may or may not lead to the executive office.” They took another turn and jaejoong could swear he’d seen the same vase and mirror display three times over. Either Kim Junsu liked repetitive interior design or they were going around in circles. “Let’s just go Chunnie. You can drag this guy to dinner next time, when you’ve planned this whole thing out more carefully.”
Yoochun shook his head, the lighthearted demeanor from earlier slipping into something more serious. “I can’t put this off any longer hyung. Kim Junsu and I have to come face to face today. I’ve already waited too long to make my presence known.”
“And what, you couldn’t call for an arranged meeting or something?” Jaejoong questioned, his own somber character coming to the surface. “I really don’t understand what all this sneaking around is for.”
“I can’t call for a meeting hyung, that’s too much fanfare.” Yoochun answered, feet walking and eyes still searching for the door that lead to Kim Junsu. “I need to catch him off guard, observe him in his natural habitat before deciding on a course of action. He can’t know I’m coming for him.”
Why did that sound so wrong? Jaejoong thought. “This better not be some mindless game Yoochun-ah,” Jaejoong said quietly, the words louder than they should have been in such a quiet corridor. “I could be at home, taking care of something more important.”
“I know hyung, I know,” Yoochun replied, guilt at keeping the older man worming its way into his thoughts for the first time. He knew how much his hyung was putting off just by being here.“But I have to do this. It may not make sense to you, but this is important to me. Kim Junsu…”
“Yeah, yeah. I get it,” Jaejoong said, suddenly regretting the serious turn that their conversation had taken. If Yoochun was going to lay siege, he couldn’t be all depressed. It wouldn’t do anyone much good. “Just-hey, what’s that?” He walked forward, eying a nondescript door. It looked much like the other doors, except it wasn’t decorated and there was no number plate on the side. It was too plain and that’s what had caught his eye.
Yoochun came up at his elbow, peering over his shoulder. “I think it’s…a door.”
“Well, obviously. Really Chunnie, your powers of deduction astound me. Of course it’s a door!” Jaejoong replied sarcastically. “But I don’t think it’s another suite. I think it just might be-” Ding!
What they had originally thought was an entrance to another hotel room opened up to become a spacious elevator. What had been the doorbell was actually the knob to signal the elevator. The two men grinned at each other before stepping in simultaneously. “Hyung, what would I do without you?”
“Yes, what would you indeed?”
There were only three buttons on the wall, one labeled P which they assumed meant Parking, so no use going there. Another, the one in the middle, was labeled O which they didn’t even bother trying to decipher. The last, upper most button and the one Yoochun pressed, was labeled CEO-that certainly didn’t require much thinking. “All right, so you go for the secretary since Changmin’s not here. I did want you to come in with me, but now that I’ve had some time to think things over, it would be best if I handled Kim Junsu on my own.”
“I wish you’d think other things over,” Jaejoong sighed. “Really, is any of this truly necessary? We’ve always done things unconventionally, but would it kill you to do things normally for once?”
“Weren’t you the one who’s always said that ‘normal’ is overrated?”
“Since when have you ever listened to me?”
“I always listen, hyung.” And before Jaejoong could form a suitable reply the elevator doors opened and the show was on.
The moment they stepped off the private elevator, they were plunged into a simple, yet futuristic style waiting room, complete with a large, rounded secretary’s desk and a cluster of comfortable looking sofas. At their entrance, the pretty secretary stood, obviously startled, one hand already on a sleek cordless phone, doubtlessly itching to call security.
“Excuse me gentlemen, but this is a private office and unless you have an appointment or were called in, I would advise you to leave immediately.” During her little speech-which was obviously practiced though they didn’t think she’d ever had to use it before-Yoochun had sent the older man a look that spoke volumes. Jaejoong caught it and in the blink of an eye, his usual charm-the one he reserved for tough business negotiations and intimate acquaintances-was turned on full blast.
“I assure you Miss…” he took a quick glance at her nameplate, “Hee Bon, we certainly have an appointment and it’s quite over due. Now, would be so kind to tell us if Mr. Kim Junsu is in his office.”
Hee Bon, flustered at the attention she was getting from such a highly attractive man, couldn’t seem to form her sentences properly. “Why-yes, yes he is but-” It was all the information Yoochun needed before he was striding purposefully for the large oak doors. Only a few meters away and he’d get exactly what he wanted. Who knew fulfillment could taste so sweet? “I don’t seem to have you penciled in-Sir! Sir, you’re not allowed to go in there!” Hee Bon called out when she saw Yoochun heading for the inner office. When he didn’t seem inclined to listen, her hand flew to the cordless, only to be stilled by a pale hand.
“Now, now, no need to be rash,” Jaejoong said, oozing charm and smiling a megawatt smile. “There’s no need for security to be called, right? We’re not bad people. We just want a word with your boss.”
“I-I wasn’t g-going to c-call security,” Hee Bon stammered, unable to look away from the handsome man in front of her. The hand on hers was warm and the feeling of it sent her heart racing.
“Oh? And who were you going to call?”
“M-mr. Jung.”
Jaejoong paused, the name registering a million other thoughts in his head. “Jung?” He repeated. “As in, Jung Yunho?” the flustered secretary flushed and nodded, to which Jaejoong smiled. If Yoochun was going to play his games, then Jaejoong might as well play too. Removing his hand from Hee Bon’s person-a singular fact that the secretary secretly couldn’t help regretting-and replied:
“Wonderful. Call him.”
Meanwhile, Yoochun had reached the oak doors, oblivious to the scheming by the older man just a few feet from him. So intent was he on his goal that little else mattered to him than the man on the other side of the wooden barrier. Success so close he could almost taste it, Yoochun pushed open the doors without much further ado. He walked in to find a startled Kim Junsu perusing what looked like the top of a mountain of papers. The other man stood immediately, not liking the aura Yoochun brought with him.
“Who are you?” Yoochun smirked at the question that was delivered so rudely. He couldn’t blame him really, there was no way Kim Junsu could have expected him. Still, he was a little disappointed to find out that the other man did not know him.
“Shame, shame,” he drawled, walking into the office like he owned it. “Don’t you recognize me?” At Junsu’s lack of recognition, he approached the desk, laying both palms flat on the smooth surface. Yoochun, smirk artfully in place, leaned forward until their faces were only inches apart, before breathing:
“Mickey Park. We meet again.”
A/N: wahh!! So sorry! I know I said I’d update every weekend, but there was just too much going on! I didn’t have a chance to go online and post! Still, I tried to make up for it with an extra long chapter! The YooSu finally meet! But I can’t help but feel their first encounter was a little anticlimactic, you know? But~this weekend comes the good stuff =]] like, the real thing, you know? I mean, yeahh, they meet now, but the next chapter is where the ball really gets going. Yoo meets Su and JaeHoMin finally encounter each other. I promise to try and post as usual, but it’s the last week of the quarter and all major projects and exams will be given/ turned in, so yeahh…it might come a little late again. Plus, my Muse is being SUCH a female dog. She’s left me and I’m trying to coax her back but she needs a bit more prodding. I will try though =]]
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