Rebound Relationship 14/?
Title: Rebound Relationship
Pairing: YunJae
Genre: Angst, Mpreg, Romance
Length: 14/?
Ratings: PG-13
Summary: Rebound Relationship is a term use in which a person becomes overly quick to commit to a new partner after having experienced an upsetting breakup. Jaejoong becomes a victim of Rebound Relationship after Yunho, his bestfriend since they were young, asked Jaejoong to be his boyfriend after his long time girlfriend, Tiffany, broke up with him. Yunho will use Jaejoong to forget his past. Will this kind of relationship work out or it will just ruin the friendship they had built over the years?
First fight...
Jaejoong looked paler and thinner than before. Even Heechul noticed it and told him to rest, scolding him for being a workaholic like his dad, but Jaejoong was also as stubborn as his dad was. He never listens.
Although he was so busy, he miraculously always has time to call and meet his boyfriend, Yunho. But sometimes things changes, right? After Tiffany came back to the scene, Yunho changed and Jaejoong wasn’t sure he likes that.
The sweet Yunho that he knew. The one who was always there for him no matter what happens turned into someone opposite. Jaejoong felt like even their friendship was gone. Yunho no longer had his back like before.
What happened to Yunho? Is everything falling apart? Did he need to step back for Yunho's happiness, again? How about his happiness? Does anyone care about his happiness? Why was it always he who gives happiness to others?
"Jaejoong?" Yoochun's voice echoed at his office. Since when has Yoochun been in there without him noticing it?
"Oh?" Jaejoong smiled weakly, trying hard to erase Yunho from his thoughts.
"This is a bad time, right? I'll just leave." Yoochun was about to close the door when Jaejoong called him. "Don't! Actually I think I need to have at least 10 minutes of break." Jaejoong laughed and looked at the piles of papers at his desk as if they were making him ill, when in fact they were untouched. When in fact, it was Yunho all along that he was thinking of and not work, which was bad. Jaejoong the workaholic don’t forget work.
"You're being a workaholic, you need rehab." Yoochun chuckled and sat in front of Jaejoong's table.
"So, why are you here?" Jaejoong changed the topic not wanting to discuss anything about his miserable life.
"Ah! Are you free tonight?" Yoochun nervously asked. He knew very well that Jae already has Yunho, but what was wrong in hoping for a little chance that Jae might like him back in the future?
"Umm, yes, I think I don't have any meetings or something." Jaejoong immediately answered forcefully, which Yoochun, luckily, didn’t notice.
"Have dinner with then so we can discuss about work. You know, Uncle Siwon will be glad to see us giving our all to business." Yoochun said scratching the back of his neck with an awkward laugh.
He didn't know that lying like that was so hard. He wanted to ask Jae for a date but he also didn't want to ruin the friendship that they have. He thought that admiring Jae from far away would make him happy. That seeing his friends happy would be fine. But he was wrong. It still hurt - but still, he couldn’t stop loving him and wishing him to be happy, even if it’s in the arms of another man.
That's how much he loves Jaejoong. That was how much he was willing to suffer for the person he loves.
"Of course! We can go together. I didn't bring my car earlier so you have to drive me home." Jaejoong smiled sweetly and Yoochun almost regretted letting Jaejoong slip away from him so easily. He was jealous of Yunho for owning Jaejoong's heart.
He wished he didn’t know Jaejoong’s feeling for Yunho. It was the only thing, which held him back from confessing because he didn’t want to destroy their friendship. Yoochun didn’t want to hurt anyone even if it means hurting all by himself.
He was always there for Jaejoong when Yunho started dating Tiffany. He knew very well, even if Jaejoong was not saying anything, that the person he loves was suffering. Jaejoong might look cold and uncaring at the outside but for the people who knew him very well, that facade of a face was actually so transparent. Jaejoong was so easy to read, if only you knew his alphabet.
If only Yoochun could do something to ease those pains and carry those burdens instead of Jae, he would have done it a long time ago. He would do everything for Jaejoong, but that was all talk. There was one thing he wasn’t able to do even if Jaejoong himself asked him. The day he left for his studies in LA was the one that he really regretted the most.
Jaejoong asked him to stay. He knew Jaejoong would suffer alone… still he left and had to comfort himself by feeding his guilt with never ending calls and mail to his Jaejoong to make sure he was all right. He chuckled, 'his' Jaejoong? Jae was never and would never become his.
"What's funny?" Jaejoong asked, seeing his friend chuckle out of the blue.
"Ah! Nothing, I just remember some-" but he was interrupted with a phone call from Jaejoong’s phone.
"Wait a minute!" Jaejoong excused himself and answered it in front of Yoochun. They are friends after all and Jaejoong trusts Yoochun. "Hello?" Jaejoong answered, his face breaking into a smile after hearing his boyfriend’s voice.
"Boo?" Yunho's cheerful voice was back again making Yoochun smile in a relieved defeat. He wasn’t selfish enough to wish that Yunho and Jaejoong would break up so he could have his chance at love. Being able to see Jaejoong smile like he was doing right now was enough. He only needed to be sure that everything would be all right between them then he could peacefully resume watching from afar.
"Yunnie." Jaejoong whispered smiling.
"Eomma said she wanted to have dinner with the two of us later.” There was a bit of a strangled pause, as if the other one wanted to say something. “She started attending culinary class and wanted us to be the taste tester of the food that they cooked...” Jaejoong could already imagine Yunho smiling hesitantly on the other side. There was another pause and this time it was longer. Jae started to worry, but before he could speak -
“And I miss you." Yunho whispered, wishing that Jae heard it clearly and that he would feel how much he meant it.
"Are you free?" Yunho continued after another pause.
It took Jaejoong a while to answer. He didn’t expect those words, nor did he expect the quiet intensity to them. “O-of course,” he croaked, wondering why his throat was suddenly tight and dry. “Of course I’m free. Tell Aunt Leeteuk thanks for inviting me.” he said looking up at the ceiling. He didn’t want to be emotional over the phone.
"Okay, I will pick you up there." Yunho smiled, relieved and secured.
"How about I just come over your office after work? Appa will be here later and you know that he still doesn't know anything about us." Jaejoong said sadly. When would Yunho meet his parents? Not that they had never met, but this time, as his boyfriend?
"I will tell my parents about us tonight." Yunho said, making Jaejoong smile. At last they no longer need to hide. Today he could openly say Yunho is his. Jaejoong didn’t realize how much it mattered to him until that time. It just seemed so important that everyone would know.
"Thank you." That’s what all Jaejoong could come up with, what more was there to say? He was so happy. The worries and the fears seemed to have gone back to their holes.
"No problem. Bye Boo." Yunho said.
"Bye, I love you." Jaejoong said and hung up the phone. Yoochun walked in front of Jaejoong, he heard everything, and he knew that it was Yunho but he would just wait until Jaejoong tells him about their relationship. Until the last time, he wanted to pretend for his friend.
"Your boyfriend?" Yoochun asked wearing his best poker face. He doesn't want Jae to see the pain in his eyes. But it was silly. Jae couldn’t see anything but Yunho. Even if Yoochun shatters in front of the guy he loves, the other one wouldn’t ever notice. Yoochun could only smile weakly.
"Yes." Jaejoong smiled as if he is the happiest man alive. And it was enough for Yoochun. Because he could never make Jae smile like that. "Oh! I'm sorry Yoochun-ah, umm the dinner, next time maybe?" Jaejoong frowned, feeling sorry for his friend.
"It's okay, don't worry. Just tell me when you're free and we can eat together." For a moment, Yoochun wanted to beg. He wanted to ease the pain in his heart. He wanted to reach out to Jae and hug him tight, plead for him not to go to Yunho - but of course, he didn’t. Instead, he smiled even wider. Pretending to congratulate his friend.
Yes, my friend… we are friends.
"Thank you! By the way, please don't tell anyone about what you heard especially my appa." Jaejoong said in a whisper as if someone could hear them. He was just scared of his father finding out about his relationship with Yunho.
"Your secret is safe with me." Yoochun assured him making Jae smile in relief. "I think I better go. I still have some work left to do.” Yoochun excused himself and left Jaejoong’s office, leaving his heart shattered into a million pieces on that place.
===
"You did well, Mr. Jung Yunho!" Tiffany complimented Yunho happily after the project meeting that evening.
"Thank you." Yunho said curtly with a quick smile.
"I still can't believe that I'm working with you now." she said with a laugh. She never thought it was possible for the Yunho she knew to change like that. “Jaejoong was really something, right?” she teased, easing the awkwardness between them.
Before they could realize it, they have fallen into a comfortable chat. They had already forgotten about the people around them who were mostly eyeing them weirdly, wondering if the two had gotten back together.
They were lost into the sea of catching up, old news and work. They were all smiles and chatters when Jaejoong arrived. The two made a very striking picture of a perfect couple, but it also made a perfect strike in Jae’s heart, twisting painfully inside of him.
For a minute, he stood there, hidden partially in the darkness. His breath caught, his surroundings grew fuzzy. The happiness and security he felt just a while ago began to crumble around him and he wasn’t fast enough to gather them back up. He thought everything would be okay, but all the while when Yunho said those words, he was with tiffany. No wonder he paused a lot and his voice was barely a whisper.
But he shouldn’t just run defeated. He still has to stay and trust Yunho. He promised himself to only believe Yunho no matter what. He took a deep breath and stepped out of his hiding place.
"Hi!" Jaejoong interrupted the two with a cold expression. He doesn’t care anymore if his jealousy was showing because all he wanted at that time was to take away Tiffany far from his boyfriend.
"Hi, Jaejoong!" Tiffany greeted him happily and even kissed him on his cheeks. He smiled dryly to her and then Jae smoothly went to Yunho, and gave him a kiss on the lips, claiming and showing Tiffany what was his. That there was no more space for her.
"How was the meeting?" Jaejoong asked nonchalantly but his eyes was piercing and his smile a fake one. He wasn’t like that. He trusted Yunho but he couldn’t help but act like that. What was happening to him?
"Good." Tiffany answered as if she hasn’t noticed the almost palpable tension in the air. "’Still can’t believe that I'm really working with Yunho."
"Great." Jaejoong said just wanting the conversation to end so he and Yunho could leave, but then Tiffany started to talk again.
"Where are you guys going? Having a date?" Tiffany asked in a teasing manner, which made Jae wonder since when had she grown so insensitive.
"Actually we are going home, eomma cooked us dinner." Yunho answered not completely oblivious to Jaejoong’s discomfort.
"Really? eommonie will cook? That is new!" Tiffany exclaimed. ‘Eommonie’ yes, Jaejoong forgot for a while but that was how Tiffany calls Leeteuk. For 6 years that Tiffany and Yunho dated, she was as if already a part of the Jung family.
She was the son’s girlfriend while he was the son’s best friend. Jae couldn’t help the ugly feelings that was making him want to run away and cry in a corner. Until now, Tiffany could still hurt him. Until that time, whatever he does or whatever Yunho says… Jae was still afraid.
But Jaejoong never expected Yunho’s next words. Jae thought he knew pain but he never knew how much it hurts to be slapped with it in the face.
"Yes, do you want to come with us Tiffany? Eomma would be happy to see you." Yunho asked her, making Jaejoong gape at Yunho. Was he being serious? Jaejoong thought. That night was supposed to be theirs. Yunho would introduce him to his parents. He was not the son’s best friend anymore.
"Yunnie? Have you ever thought that Tiffany might have other things to do tonight? Maybe a date with Doojoon-ssi." Jaejoong said in a broken voice despite his efforts to hide his disappointment.
"Actually, Doojoon oppa is in Japan right now for his ELLE photo shoot.” Tiffany said, hinting her interest to go with them.
"That's good then. Let’s all go together!" Yunho said happily, as he ushered both Tiffany and Jaejoong out of the building to his car.
Jaejoong couldn’t believe what was happening. He didn’t even know how he was able to get in the car.
===
When they arrived at the Jung’s Mansion, the butler immediately welcomed them and ushered the group to the dining hall. Leeteuk and Kangin were already there waiting for their arrival. Leeteuk looked surprised when they entered seeing Tiffany with Jae and Yunho. His surprise faded and he run to the young ones and even gave Tiffany a long hug, then immediately peppered her with questions. Leeteuk surely missed his supposed to be daughter-in-law, and didn’t even give Jaejoong a second glance. Jaejoong just watched them quietly and took a seat on the long table.
Jaejoong's POV
I feel left out, as if I'm not invited - an outsider.
That was my place. I should be the one there, talking with Aunt Leeteuk and not Tiffany. I was the one invited not Tiffany. But then, it was Yunho who invited her…
"Boo?" Yunho said sweetly, but I was too numb to appreciate that. He held my hand but I was too hurt to hold his back. He sat next to me but all I wanted was to be away and shield myself from this feelings. Yunho smiled and I hated myself more.
I found myself smiling back at him.
I could never leave Yunho. Never stop loving him.
"Oh! Jaejoong, you're here?" they noticed me at last when all was seated. I only smiled. I didn’t want them to know I had lost my voice. Or that I was close to tears.
"You're too busy chatting with Tiffany that's why you didn't see him." Kangin pretended to scold Leeteuk and took a bite of the food. "Not bad!" he said and continued tasting his wife’s dishes making the madam of the house happy.
"I'm sorry, you know I was just surprised seeing Tiffany here again. I didn't expect Yunho's fiancé to be here." Leeteuk said carelessly and the table became quiet. My sight blurred and I totally lost my appetite after hearing those words. "Yunho's fiancé" you have to be kidding me!
"Leeteuk!" Kangin warned his wife.
"Eomma! Tiffany and I broke up a long time ago. We are just friends now." Yunho scolded his mom.
"Yunho is right, eommonie." Tiffany reasoned awkwardly to pitch in Yunho’s defense and then she looked at me. So did she really even care? Or was it a show and the truth was that she’s already rejoicing right now?
"Oh, I'm sorry, I was just used to thinking that Tiffany is Yunho's girlfriend. I remembered that he was about to propose to Tiffany before they broke up." Leeteuk said as if trying to lighten the atmosphere. But it couldn’t be salvaged anymore, just like how a broken heart never fully heals without remembering what hurt it.
That night, Yunho and I didn't tell his parents about us. Blame that certain person who went with us uninvited - no, she wasn’t even a gatecrasher. Why was Yunho treating Tiffany like that? As if they never had an upsetting break up.
And those words by Aunt Leeteuk… I wouldn’t be surprised if he still wanted Tiffany for his son. It certainly sounded like that. For them, I was just their son’s best friend.
"Thank you for the ride, Yunho." Tiffany said as she emerged from Yunho's car. We were in front of her house but I was just looking straight and didn't even care to say goodbye. Even if I say farewell, she’d still be there like a shadow in our life.
I have the right to be mad at her, right?
It’s okay to be hurt, right?
"Jaejoong, I'm going." Tiffany said but I continued to ignore her. I had enough.
She went inside her house after the awkward goodbyes. Yunho geared the car forward. Probably he was taking us home. He never dared to talk to me.
The whole ride would have been so quiet if not for the radio.
The car stopped in front of my house. Without a word, I opened the door and hopped out. But he was fast, even before I reached the gate, he was already holding my arm.
"Boo, wait!" Yunho said stopping me. "Is there something wrong?" he asked me and I looked at him as if he was joking. Was he really that dense not to see how much I hate Tiffany? How much she hurts me?
"Do I need to tell you what’s wrong? Why are you so dense Jung Yunho!?" I burst, not caring if it hurts to speak, or if my tears raced down my face. I tried to be patient. I tried to trust and push away my fears. I love him and I am scared. "Yunnie, why do you have to act like that with her? As if nothing happened, as if I wasn’t there." Jaejoong asked hurtfully.
"Are you going to make this an issue?" Yunho threw back to Jae. "I just wanted to be nice to her, so I asked her to come with us." Yunho continued.
"To be NICE?!" I said in disbelief. "Wow Yunho! Have you already forgotten what she did to you before? How she cheated on you and broke up with you for that model guy? Have you already forgotten that you almost killed yourself because of her?" I said, my tears and pains pouring out. I never realized I was that mad. "Yunnie! Tonight was supposed to be ours. We were supposed to tell your parents!" Jaejoong angrily wiped his tears on his cheeks, swatting away Yunho’s attempt to comfort him.
"Jaejoong." Yunho said softly, feeling so sorry.
"Jaejoong?" I chuckled dryly. Now we were back to calling each other by name, just like the days when we were just best friends. Or maybe we really were just best friends.
"I have to go, JUNG YUNHO!" I emphasized his name and left him alone in front of his car. That night was supposed to be special. In a way, it was… for we just had our first fight.
Pairing: YunJae
Genre: Angst, Mpreg, Romance
Length: 14/?
Ratings: PG-13
Summary: Rebound Relationship is a term use in which a person becomes overly quick to commit to a new partner after having experienced an upsetting breakup. Jaejoong becomes a victim of Rebound Relationship after Yunho, his bestfriend since they were young, asked Jaejoong to be his boyfriend after his long time girlfriend, Tiffany, broke up with him. Yunho will use Jaejoong to forget his past. Will this kind of relationship work out or it will just ruin the friendship they had built over the years?
First fight...
Jaejoong looked paler and thinner than before. Even Heechul noticed it and told him to rest, scolding him for being a workaholic like his dad, but Jaejoong was also as stubborn as his dad was. He never listens.
Although he was so busy, he miraculously always has time to call and meet his boyfriend, Yunho. But sometimes things changes, right? After Tiffany came back to the scene, Yunho changed and Jaejoong wasn’t sure he likes that.
The sweet Yunho that he knew. The one who was always there for him no matter what happens turned into someone opposite. Jaejoong felt like even their friendship was gone. Yunho no longer had his back like before.
What happened to Yunho? Is everything falling apart? Did he need to step back for Yunho's happiness, again? How about his happiness? Does anyone care about his happiness? Why was it always he who gives happiness to others?
"Jaejoong?" Yoochun's voice echoed at his office. Since when has Yoochun been in there without him noticing it?
"Oh?" Jaejoong smiled weakly, trying hard to erase Yunho from his thoughts.
"This is a bad time, right? I'll just leave." Yoochun was about to close the door when Jaejoong called him. "Don't! Actually I think I need to have at least 10 minutes of break." Jaejoong laughed and looked at the piles of papers at his desk as if they were making him ill, when in fact they were untouched. When in fact, it was Yunho all along that he was thinking of and not work, which was bad. Jaejoong the workaholic don’t forget work.
"You're being a workaholic, you need rehab." Yoochun chuckled and sat in front of Jaejoong's table.
"So, why are you here?" Jaejoong changed the topic not wanting to discuss anything about his miserable life.
"Ah! Are you free tonight?" Yoochun nervously asked. He knew very well that Jae already has Yunho, but what was wrong in hoping for a little chance that Jae might like him back in the future?
"Umm, yes, I think I don't have any meetings or something." Jaejoong immediately answered forcefully, which Yoochun, luckily, didn’t notice.
"Have dinner with then so we can discuss about work. You know, Uncle Siwon will be glad to see us giving our all to business." Yoochun said scratching the back of his neck with an awkward laugh.
He didn't know that lying like that was so hard. He wanted to ask Jae for a date but he also didn't want to ruin the friendship that they have. He thought that admiring Jae from far away would make him happy. That seeing his friends happy would be fine. But he was wrong. It still hurt - but still, he couldn’t stop loving him and wishing him to be happy, even if it’s in the arms of another man.
That's how much he loves Jaejoong. That was how much he was willing to suffer for the person he loves.
"Of course! We can go together. I didn't bring my car earlier so you have to drive me home." Jaejoong smiled sweetly and Yoochun almost regretted letting Jaejoong slip away from him so easily. He was jealous of Yunho for owning Jaejoong's heart.
He wished he didn’t know Jaejoong’s feeling for Yunho. It was the only thing, which held him back from confessing because he didn’t want to destroy their friendship. Yoochun didn’t want to hurt anyone even if it means hurting all by himself.
He was always there for Jaejoong when Yunho started dating Tiffany. He knew very well, even if Jaejoong was not saying anything, that the person he loves was suffering. Jaejoong might look cold and uncaring at the outside but for the people who knew him very well, that facade of a face was actually so transparent. Jaejoong was so easy to read, if only you knew his alphabet.
If only Yoochun could do something to ease those pains and carry those burdens instead of Jae, he would have done it a long time ago. He would do everything for Jaejoong, but that was all talk. There was one thing he wasn’t able to do even if Jaejoong himself asked him. The day he left for his studies in LA was the one that he really regretted the most.
Jaejoong asked him to stay. He knew Jaejoong would suffer alone… still he left and had to comfort himself by feeding his guilt with never ending calls and mail to his Jaejoong to make sure he was all right. He chuckled, 'his' Jaejoong? Jae was never and would never become his.
"What's funny?" Jaejoong asked, seeing his friend chuckle out of the blue.
"Ah! Nothing, I just remember some-" but he was interrupted with a phone call from Jaejoong’s phone.
"Wait a minute!" Jaejoong excused himself and answered it in front of Yoochun. They are friends after all and Jaejoong trusts Yoochun. "Hello?" Jaejoong answered, his face breaking into a smile after hearing his boyfriend’s voice.
"Boo?" Yunho's cheerful voice was back again making Yoochun smile in a relieved defeat. He wasn’t selfish enough to wish that Yunho and Jaejoong would break up so he could have his chance at love. Being able to see Jaejoong smile like he was doing right now was enough. He only needed to be sure that everything would be all right between them then he could peacefully resume watching from afar.
"Yunnie." Jaejoong whispered smiling.
"Eomma said she wanted to have dinner with the two of us later.” There was a bit of a strangled pause, as if the other one wanted to say something. “She started attending culinary class and wanted us to be the taste tester of the food that they cooked...” Jaejoong could already imagine Yunho smiling hesitantly on the other side. There was another pause and this time it was longer. Jae started to worry, but before he could speak -
“And I miss you." Yunho whispered, wishing that Jae heard it clearly and that he would feel how much he meant it.
"Are you free?" Yunho continued after another pause.
It took Jaejoong a while to answer. He didn’t expect those words, nor did he expect the quiet intensity to them. “O-of course,” he croaked, wondering why his throat was suddenly tight and dry. “Of course I’m free. Tell Aunt Leeteuk thanks for inviting me.” he said looking up at the ceiling. He didn’t want to be emotional over the phone.
"Okay, I will pick you up there." Yunho smiled, relieved and secured.
"How about I just come over your office after work? Appa will be here later and you know that he still doesn't know anything about us." Jaejoong said sadly. When would Yunho meet his parents? Not that they had never met, but this time, as his boyfriend?
"I will tell my parents about us tonight." Yunho said, making Jaejoong smile. At last they no longer need to hide. Today he could openly say Yunho is his. Jaejoong didn’t realize how much it mattered to him until that time. It just seemed so important that everyone would know.
"Thank you." That’s what all Jaejoong could come up with, what more was there to say? He was so happy. The worries and the fears seemed to have gone back to their holes.
"No problem. Bye Boo." Yunho said.
"Bye, I love you." Jaejoong said and hung up the phone. Yoochun walked in front of Jaejoong, he heard everything, and he knew that it was Yunho but he would just wait until Jaejoong tells him about their relationship. Until the last time, he wanted to pretend for his friend.
"Your boyfriend?" Yoochun asked wearing his best poker face. He doesn't want Jae to see the pain in his eyes. But it was silly. Jae couldn’t see anything but Yunho. Even if Yoochun shatters in front of the guy he loves, the other one wouldn’t ever notice. Yoochun could only smile weakly.
"Yes." Jaejoong smiled as if he is the happiest man alive. And it was enough for Yoochun. Because he could never make Jae smile like that. "Oh! I'm sorry Yoochun-ah, umm the dinner, next time maybe?" Jaejoong frowned, feeling sorry for his friend.
"It's okay, don't worry. Just tell me when you're free and we can eat together." For a moment, Yoochun wanted to beg. He wanted to ease the pain in his heart. He wanted to reach out to Jae and hug him tight, plead for him not to go to Yunho - but of course, he didn’t. Instead, he smiled even wider. Pretending to congratulate his friend.
Yes, my friend… we are friends.
"Thank you! By the way, please don't tell anyone about what you heard especially my appa." Jaejoong said in a whisper as if someone could hear them. He was just scared of his father finding out about his relationship with Yunho.
"Your secret is safe with me." Yoochun assured him making Jae smile in relief. "I think I better go. I still have some work left to do.” Yoochun excused himself and left Jaejoong’s office, leaving his heart shattered into a million pieces on that place.
===
"You did well, Mr. Jung Yunho!" Tiffany complimented Yunho happily after the project meeting that evening.
"Thank you." Yunho said curtly with a quick smile.
"I still can't believe that I'm working with you now." she said with a laugh. She never thought it was possible for the Yunho she knew to change like that. “Jaejoong was really something, right?” she teased, easing the awkwardness between them.
Before they could realize it, they have fallen into a comfortable chat. They had already forgotten about the people around them who were mostly eyeing them weirdly, wondering if the two had gotten back together.
They were lost into the sea of catching up, old news and work. They were all smiles and chatters when Jaejoong arrived. The two made a very striking picture of a perfect couple, but it also made a perfect strike in Jae’s heart, twisting painfully inside of him.
For a minute, he stood there, hidden partially in the darkness. His breath caught, his surroundings grew fuzzy. The happiness and security he felt just a while ago began to crumble around him and he wasn’t fast enough to gather them back up. He thought everything would be okay, but all the while when Yunho said those words, he was with tiffany. No wonder he paused a lot and his voice was barely a whisper.
But he shouldn’t just run defeated. He still has to stay and trust Yunho. He promised himself to only believe Yunho no matter what. He took a deep breath and stepped out of his hiding place.
"Hi!" Jaejoong interrupted the two with a cold expression. He doesn’t care anymore if his jealousy was showing because all he wanted at that time was to take away Tiffany far from his boyfriend.
"Hi, Jaejoong!" Tiffany greeted him happily and even kissed him on his cheeks. He smiled dryly to her and then Jae smoothly went to Yunho, and gave him a kiss on the lips, claiming and showing Tiffany what was his. That there was no more space for her.
"How was the meeting?" Jaejoong asked nonchalantly but his eyes was piercing and his smile a fake one. He wasn’t like that. He trusted Yunho but he couldn’t help but act like that. What was happening to him?
"Good." Tiffany answered as if she hasn’t noticed the almost palpable tension in the air. "’Still can’t believe that I'm really working with Yunho."
"Great." Jaejoong said just wanting the conversation to end so he and Yunho could leave, but then Tiffany started to talk again.
"Where are you guys going? Having a date?" Tiffany asked in a teasing manner, which made Jae wonder since when had she grown so insensitive.
"Actually we are going home, eomma cooked us dinner." Yunho answered not completely oblivious to Jaejoong’s discomfort.
"Really? eommonie will cook? That is new!" Tiffany exclaimed. ‘Eommonie’ yes, Jaejoong forgot for a while but that was how Tiffany calls Leeteuk. For 6 years that Tiffany and Yunho dated, she was as if already a part of the Jung family.
She was the son’s girlfriend while he was the son’s best friend. Jae couldn’t help the ugly feelings that was making him want to run away and cry in a corner. Until now, Tiffany could still hurt him. Until that time, whatever he does or whatever Yunho says… Jae was still afraid.
But Jaejoong never expected Yunho’s next words. Jae thought he knew pain but he never knew how much it hurts to be slapped with it in the face.
"Yes, do you want to come with us Tiffany? Eomma would be happy to see you." Yunho asked her, making Jaejoong gape at Yunho. Was he being serious? Jaejoong thought. That night was supposed to be theirs. Yunho would introduce him to his parents. He was not the son’s best friend anymore.
"Yunnie? Have you ever thought that Tiffany might have other things to do tonight? Maybe a date with Doojoon-ssi." Jaejoong said in a broken voice despite his efforts to hide his disappointment.
"Actually, Doojoon oppa is in Japan right now for his ELLE photo shoot.” Tiffany said, hinting her interest to go with them.
"That's good then. Let’s all go together!" Yunho said happily, as he ushered both Tiffany and Jaejoong out of the building to his car.
Jaejoong couldn’t believe what was happening. He didn’t even know how he was able to get in the car.
===
When they arrived at the Jung’s Mansion, the butler immediately welcomed them and ushered the group to the dining hall. Leeteuk and Kangin were already there waiting for their arrival. Leeteuk looked surprised when they entered seeing Tiffany with Jae and Yunho. His surprise faded and he run to the young ones and even gave Tiffany a long hug, then immediately peppered her with questions. Leeteuk surely missed his supposed to be daughter-in-law, and didn’t even give Jaejoong a second glance. Jaejoong just watched them quietly and took a seat on the long table.
Jaejoong's POV
I feel left out, as if I'm not invited - an outsider.
That was my place. I should be the one there, talking with Aunt Leeteuk and not Tiffany. I was the one invited not Tiffany. But then, it was Yunho who invited her…
"Boo?" Yunho said sweetly, but I was too numb to appreciate that. He held my hand but I was too hurt to hold his back. He sat next to me but all I wanted was to be away and shield myself from this feelings. Yunho smiled and I hated myself more.
I found myself smiling back at him.
I could never leave Yunho. Never stop loving him.
"Oh! Jaejoong, you're here?" they noticed me at last when all was seated. I only smiled. I didn’t want them to know I had lost my voice. Or that I was close to tears.
"You're too busy chatting with Tiffany that's why you didn't see him." Kangin pretended to scold Leeteuk and took a bite of the food. "Not bad!" he said and continued tasting his wife’s dishes making the madam of the house happy.
"I'm sorry, you know I was just surprised seeing Tiffany here again. I didn't expect Yunho's fiancé to be here." Leeteuk said carelessly and the table became quiet. My sight blurred and I totally lost my appetite after hearing those words. "Yunho's fiancé" you have to be kidding me!
"Leeteuk!" Kangin warned his wife.
"Eomma! Tiffany and I broke up a long time ago. We are just friends now." Yunho scolded his mom.
"Yunho is right, eommonie." Tiffany reasoned awkwardly to pitch in Yunho’s defense and then she looked at me. So did she really even care? Or was it a show and the truth was that she’s already rejoicing right now?
"Oh, I'm sorry, I was just used to thinking that Tiffany is Yunho's girlfriend. I remembered that he was about to propose to Tiffany before they broke up." Leeteuk said as if trying to lighten the atmosphere. But it couldn’t be salvaged anymore, just like how a broken heart never fully heals without remembering what hurt it.
That night, Yunho and I didn't tell his parents about us. Blame that certain person who went with us uninvited - no, she wasn’t even a gatecrasher. Why was Yunho treating Tiffany like that? As if they never had an upsetting break up.
And those words by Aunt Leeteuk… I wouldn’t be surprised if he still wanted Tiffany for his son. It certainly sounded like that. For them, I was just their son’s best friend.
"Thank you for the ride, Yunho." Tiffany said as she emerged from Yunho's car. We were in front of her house but I was just looking straight and didn't even care to say goodbye. Even if I say farewell, she’d still be there like a shadow in our life.
I have the right to be mad at her, right?
It’s okay to be hurt, right?
"Jaejoong, I'm going." Tiffany said but I continued to ignore her. I had enough.
She went inside her house after the awkward goodbyes. Yunho geared the car forward. Probably he was taking us home. He never dared to talk to me.
The whole ride would have been so quiet if not for the radio.
The car stopped in front of my house. Without a word, I opened the door and hopped out. But he was fast, even before I reached the gate, he was already holding my arm.
"Boo, wait!" Yunho said stopping me. "Is there something wrong?" he asked me and I looked at him as if he was joking. Was he really that dense not to see how much I hate Tiffany? How much she hurts me?
"Do I need to tell you what’s wrong? Why are you so dense Jung Yunho!?" I burst, not caring if it hurts to speak, or if my tears raced down my face. I tried to be patient. I tried to trust and push away my fears. I love him and I am scared. "Yunnie, why do you have to act like that with her? As if nothing happened, as if I wasn’t there." Jaejoong asked hurtfully.
"Are you going to make this an issue?" Yunho threw back to Jae. "I just wanted to be nice to her, so I asked her to come with us." Yunho continued.
"To be NICE?!" I said in disbelief. "Wow Yunho! Have you already forgotten what she did to you before? How she cheated on you and broke up with you for that model guy? Have you already forgotten that you almost killed yourself because of her?" I said, my tears and pains pouring out. I never realized I was that mad. "Yunnie! Tonight was supposed to be ours. We were supposed to tell your parents!" Jaejoong angrily wiped his tears on his cheeks, swatting away Yunho’s attempt to comfort him.
"Jaejoong." Yunho said softly, feeling so sorry.
"Jaejoong?" I chuckled dryly. Now we were back to calling each other by name, just like the days when we were just best friends. Or maybe we really were just best friends.
"I have to go, JUNG YUNHO!" I emphasized his name and left him alone in front of his car. That night was supposed to be special. In a way, it was… for we just had our first fight.