Babel 6/7
Babel 6
healing, hobnobing with the rich & famous, family drama
TOP/CL, AU, PG-13
<Chaerin kneels gingerly amongst the soft, downy sheets, careful not to rouse it's slumbering occupant. She stares for a long moment, observing chiseled features and caramel skin washed in the mellow morning light. She brings a finger close and faintly traces it across his strong eyebrows and then down the outline of his high nose. There is none of that tell-tale stress on his face when he sleeps, none of the intensity nor burden. It's a good look on Seunghyun, regrettably foreign but still good. "I've missed you," she mumbles under her breath, voice no louder than the quiet whistle of a spinning top. It's a strange and bittersweet affair.
She's caressing the hollow of his cheek when a warm hand catches hers and holds it captive, his eyes fluttering open. Chaerin's throat goes dry and the top of her nose colors pink when he holds her gaze, scrutinizing her with an unreadable countenance. The light spilling in astern casts a glow so ethereal that Seunghyun is almost daunted by the exquisite flourish-the way her blonde hair catches the dulcet radiance and the soft shadows cast against her slender neck is breathtaking in its most acute sense. The Earth seems to cease spinning on its axis as they contemplate each other, unspoken questions that tangle and get knotted in the tension.
"Chae... I'm sorry I've been busy with wo-" Seunghyun starts, voice hoarse with sleep and emotion.
Chaerin shakes her head wistfully before withdrawing her hand, curling up against his chest, her ear above his heart. "I'm sorry Seunghyun," she whispers, her delicate features pinched in despair. "I'm sorry I made you sick with worry, I'm sorry for demanding so much of you. Don't fall sick anymore." Chaerin pleads, her fist curling around the fabric of his shirt. "I won't make you worry anymore so don't ...fall sick again." She leaves out how he'd looked so pallid or breathed so still in his unconscious state or how Jiyong had screamed at her or how Dongwook had reprimanded Jiyong afterwards.
There are too many things that need to be said in response to the edge of worry and fright in her voice but the words don't come and all Seunghyun manages is an evocative "I promise," as he cards his fingers through her hair.
When he heads down after a shower, Chaerin is already seated along the table, stippling honey from a little pot into her bowl of oatmeal as the housekeeper brings out a long serving dish with neat little rows of chopped fruits. Dongwook left a little past six this morning, he's informed, with clear instructions for him to eat properly and not to strain himself. And another reminder that he's off work, for one if not two months.
+
"Thank you," Seunghyun says in the car late-morning when they're on the way out. For finishing your food, for getting better if only slightly, for being by my side, for agreeing to this, simple gratitude that Chaerin doesn't question. They're headed to the hospital to get the stitches on her arm out, but before that, to the departmental store to pick out a gift of appreciation for the medical staff. It's as good a chance as any to ease her back into balance.
"Seunghyun, I don't think I can do this..." Chaerin implores, eyes beseeching when he opens the door to her side, hands rising to clasp at his forearm.
"It'll be okay, we're already here. I'll be right next to you, buttercup, don't worry. Besides, it's not going to take us long." Seunghyun undoes the belt buckle and coaxes her out of the car. He doesn't have to plead for long.
The place is only mildly replete with shoppers, majority of them typical housewives on their regular grocery runs, passing them by without so much as a glance. It doesn't seem to calm Chaerin nonetheless, telling in the way she huddles against his side. "You alright?" he whispers against her hair and pulls her closer with an arm around her shoulders. Much to his relief, Chaerin nods, albeit shakily, and soldiers on. The previous attempt a month back, the immense stress had given her a full on panic attack two steps in.
+
"Does it still hurt?" Seunghyun's fingers ghost skin along the edge of the red, asperous line dissecting her skeletal arm. It's been a good half week since her stitches were removed.
"N-not if you don't look at it," she mumbles timidly, trying to ease her arm out of his grip. Her discomfort is hint enough for Seunghyun and he secures the rest of the adhesive strips without another word.
"You're beautiful," he whispers before leading her out by the hand and her small smile is enough confidence to last him through the day.
While it's not exactly a smooth-sailing journey, Seunghyun is persistent in coaxing her out of her darkness. Days bleed into nights, transpiring in languid propriety and crossed and dotted with road trips to the countryside, picnics in the backseat of the Cadillac, trying (and failing on Seunghyun's part) to learn pilates from self-help DVDs, empirical culinary adventures in the kitchen, compulsive online shopping sprees, or simply days spent around the house in a state of torpor. Chaerin slowly but surely heals, courage growing an ounce stronger, smile growing a ray brighter with each passing day.
+
The both of them had been caught completely unawares by the invitation card that came hand-delivered-a solicitation to La Mer's appreciation gala-cursive typography embossed in gold on a card of maroon velvet. It was really just a formality though, because along with that came a manila envelope detailing a script, the guest list and order of events. Personally delivered by Butler Kang, who politely left all of his questions unanswered. The abrupt return from Paris and unexpected event felt all too suspicious. Seunghyun and Chaerin were obligated to attend, that he didn't have to ask.
"Why are you out here?" Seunghyun shifts a look at the stylists hovering by the sliding door.
"We've been locked out," one of the two answers with her head bowed.
"Wait in the hallway," he calls over his shoulder, giving up on the battle with his cuff links and starched shirt sleeves and moving to retrieve the keys to the walk-in wardrobe instead.
Chaerin is seated by the vanity, face pressed into her arm on a counter strewn with cosmetics. She barely registers his presence when he sinks to his knees next to her and takes her hand in his. It trembles and feels cold to the touch. Her long, blonde hair is pulled high up in a sleek ponytail with nary a strand out of place and the strong makeup colors her face an exotic, almost seductive flair. Almost, if not for her discordant expression.
"Sweetie, we have to get going soon." he murmurs, trying to catch her distant gaze.
"I'm scared," comes her dry whisper, doubtful and anxious. Seunghyun's heart pricks at the depth of uncertainty in her eyes, Chaerin who had once been confident and infallible.
"You'll be okay," Seunghyun drops a kiss on her forehead. Her reaction is decidedly overwrought, fingers clasping at his shoulders and kissing him with a desperate urgency, along his jaw (I don't think I can), under his ears (please), across his lips (I'm afraid), down his chin (please, please) and back up to his ears (Will I...). Seunghyun complies, hoping to soothe her, swallowing her whimpers as he plunders her mouth and slides his tongue against hers. He can taste the worry on the pillows of her lips, feel the fear thrumming on the tip of her tongue. When he finally pulls away, Chaerin doesn't look anymore convinced than she was before. Further consolation dies on the tip of his tongue when they are interrupted by Butler Kang flitting in, pulling the two stylists in along with him, "Young Master Choi, we are running on a strict time schedule, there is no time for all this tomfoolery. Hurry now, we are leaving in 15 minutes. Krystal, get Miss Lee into her dress. Jessica, bring her gloves and stole."
There is no prerogative or volition to exercise.
Seunghyun fingers the little pill box in his pocket as he waits by the lounge, crossed knee jiggling impatiently. There is no time to appreciate the virtuosity and grace of her refinement when she descends the steps because Kang all but pushes them out and into the backseat of the waiting Maybach.
"Missus wouldn't like that expression on your face, Miss Lee. I do not wish to be rude but please be reminded that appropriate behavior and courtesy is expected."
Chaerin glances at the stern steward in the front and nods imperceptibly before schooling her features into a mask of composure, the knot in her brows easing up. But there are little things that Seunghyun alone sees that tells him otherwise, ticks that are in discordance with her put on calm-the way she keeps one hand tightly wound the other wrist, the staccato rhythm of her breathing and the tense muscles lining the column of her neck.
Seunghyun's thorough revolt at having to watch this exchange is thinly-veiled. "That was terribly discourteous of you Kang, I'm offended by your attitude towards my girlfriend."
"I wouldn't dare Young Master, my apologies. Heads would roll if the event does not go according to Missus' expectations." A pause, a hint of caution behind the contrite words. "Have you memorized the scripted answers?"
The waiting media is sent into a frenzy and camera flashes go off the moment Seunghyun steps out of the car. He had expected it, but still, the sheer number of reporters makes him vacillate. He nearly wants to slam the car door shut, to keep Chaerin away from the melee, to protect her from the media monsters. But that isn't an option and Chaerin takes his extended hand, stepping out into the spotlight. There is a collective gasp upon her entrance and Seunghyun knows why all too well. Chaerin is resplendent in her dusky bister-hued number, a slender floor-grazing chiffon gown beaded and embellished at the bodice. But it is her emaciated figure that has the reporters buzzing, the serrated plane of her sternum, the sharp angles and frail physique.
Seunghyun pulls her close and loops her arm around his. Chaerin's spine is rigid with fear in his arms and he can see the unadulterated panic in her eyes despite her smile. The golden couple of Seoul's creative industry, reappearing together under the media spotlight after their vanishing act four months ago. The entire parade up to the main entrance must feel like a drawn-out trajectory of peril for Chaerin and he rubs soothing circles into her hand, the preening and posing for the media a visceral reaction on both their parts. He keeps his smile in place (and she does too), even as he feels her loose clasp on his arm retrograde into a tense, bone-crushing clutch. Seunghyun answers several questions and fends off rumors with practiced diplomacy before finally whisking Chaerin away with a protective arm around her shoulders.
By the time they get into an empty powder room and out of sight of anyone, her smile has slipped off into oblivion and all that is left is near-hysteria. Chaerin is a trembling mess, fingers fumbling as she grapples with the contents of her purse. "Seunghyunseung-hyun, Seu-nghyun-meds-my-meds."
"I'm sorry baby, I'm sorry, I'm sorry for putting you through this," he rushes out, tripping over his own words as he slips a tablet into her mouth. Guilt cresting over him and drowning out everything but regret. It's too late now, too late to rescind the decision of allowing her to come (my lack of attendance would raise suspicions), too late to turn back and return home (the show must go on), too late to go anywhere but ahead (we shouldn't keep her waiting, Seunghyun).
If it is any consolation, the crowd inside is nowhere near the claustrophobic surge of reporters outside.
Dongwook is already by his mother's side when they make their way across the gallery. Everything to be said is done in the quick worried looks exchanged above both their heads (Chaerin is tripping out-Mother has something up her sleeves).
"Oh Seunghyun honey there you are! Aren't you quite very late to the party. Chaerin my dear, I'm glad you're here, you've lost so much weight," she says, patting Seunghyun's arm and air-kissing Chaerin all at once. Crystal champagne flutes are pushed into their hands before they get led around, introduced to various people from the upper echelons of society to the heavyweights from the regional creative industry.
"...Dongwook, my eldest son, he's a psychologist. He's been around, Nobel Peace prize all, even I can't believe it; This is Seunghyun my second son, runs Prain here in East Asia and is the one to go to for all your advertising and public relations demands, my boy. And meet Lee Chaerin, regional head and first of two daughters to Director Lee of the illustrious Jugular Issue, bright, young girl she is." the same introduction is iterated in all manner of languages as they go through the rinse and repeat routine of social networking. Editors from Japan, investors from Taiwan, partners from Singapore, publishers from Korea, everyone with a name and status is here.
The show is solid as a rock, every scene played to its scripted dialogue. Few people know about the incident and even fewer people are privy to the exigency of the remaining daughter's situation. Everyone thinks Chaerin took half a year off to focus on an in-depth market research project for the betterment of Jugular Issue, everyone but their immediate families. Director Lee had taken off and returned to the States upon adjournment of the lawsuit, leaving his daughter to fend for herself in all her brokenness. A hard-boiled businessman. His mother, while an iota more sympathetic about Chaerin's plight, did not have the luxury of time to relinquish concern.
Chaerin holds up well enough through the evening, capsulated chemicals fuelling her nerves and ensuring psychological lucidity. She doesn't impart much more beyond the bare minimum though, polite and lukewarm at best. Her cold imitation of stability is convincing enough so nobody says a word.
Everything goes smoothly until...
"...In addition to Jugular Issue's expansion into the European market, I'd like to also announce that my second son, Seunghyun, and beneficiary of J.I., Chaerin, have plans for engagement next year. Director Lee and I are pleased to usher in our collaboration with such a joyous occasion, and look forward to a strengthened alliance as business partners and future-in-laws. Thus, we would appreciate your loyal support in both their matrimony and the partnership between La Mer and Jugular Issue." Murmurs and applause bloom across the gallery as Director Choi steps down stage-side.
Both Seunghyun and Chaerin are left reeling by this pivotal announcement, equal parts shocked and betrayed. Neither of them say anything of it the rest of the night, relegated to pulling up smiles and gratitude when they are congratulated. The heated conversation Seunghyun has with his mother following the commencement of the gala ultimately ends with "you will do as the elders say."