Redeeming Eden Chapter Eighteen
Title: Redeeming Eden
Length: Chaptered
Rating: PG and growing
Pairings: YooSu, JaeHo, MinOther
Summary: Love, Hatred, Gratitude, Revenge. Is love worth all the pain they have to go through?
lmaii's creation
6th June
Placing the stethoscope onto the table, he dropped into the black leather chair, fatigue clinging onto every shred of his body after the night shift at the hospital.
Blatant luxury was never much of Kim Jaejoong's preference. But since it was part of the package, he just accepted everything. The high back black leather chair, grand rosewood table and tastefully designed interior of the big office, all these came with the title of 'Assistant Director'. And since he was paying the price for it, might as well enjoy the perks that came along.
Not many people would understand the concept of a 'price' as well as the good doctor would. After all, he was seeing it everyday in his work; the things that happened to bodies were prices that people were paying for what they did in their lives. Whatsmore, Jaejoong had been personally paying for everything in his life ever since the loss of his father.
Flashback
18 years ago
Father and son trodded along the busy streets of Seoul wearily, the man holding his child close to himself, wary of any harm possibly befalling on the small and frail body.
A light tug on the corner of his shirt signalled the want of attention.
"Appa, I'm hungry..."
Nothing in the sky indicated the exact hour but still he looked up, as if to amuse the little one. "Umm, looks like it's time to get something to fill our tummies. What does Jaejoong feel like eating?"
Knowing the dire straits they were in, Jaejoong had been reluctant to declare his hunger until it turned unbearable. He knew that he had no options in the question asked but he always returned the good humor. "I feel like eating what Appa buys for me."
The few notes pulled out of his pocket could hardly buy more than bread and the feeling of guilt in not being able to provide any better for a growing child ate at him. Unfortunately, lamenting on the fact just did not change things and the man could only compensate by the TLC he gave. "Appa is going to buy you something nice from that shop across the road and I want you to wait here for me. Just stand here and don't go anywhere else, do you understand?"
Beautiful eyes looked earnestly at him and the obedient nod and smile only made his heart churn more.
The boy was growing impatient of being away from his parent, the only person to care for him in this world. His heart grew heavy with an unexplained panic and the visual search for that familiar face began.
A sudden screech followed by a loud thud plunged the young heart into an unknown depth, the worry confirmed by the sight that greeted his unwilling eyes and brain.
There was no struggle visible from the man lying on the tar road, his body not moving the slightest bit. Even the signs of respiration were clearly missing from where they should be repeating.
Red became a color Jaejoong disliked. Blood surrounded his father, forming a crimson mattress underneath and around. The little feet that brought the child forward subconsciously avoided the growing patch.
Eyes wide open and tarnished with cuts did not make the man's face scary to his son. But when he saw the bread next to an outstretched hand, the white stained by red, Jaejoong's tears surged out of his eyes. And he allowed himself this bout of crying, for the last time.
End
Everything was very simply stated in this young man's perception.
To Kim Jaejoong, there was a price for everything.
The price of bringing him into this world equals the life of his mother who died in labour.
The price of a piece of bread to sate his hunger equals the life of his father.
The education he received and his career and lifestyle now equals total obedience to the man who adopted him.
And the price for this seems to be an indefinite amount now.
Flashback
18 years ago
The elderly matron led the man onto the grounds where the young children played, his dark grey suit a strong contrast against the bright colors that filled the orphanage.
Laughter was ringing across the small field and happy faces could be seen all around. It appeared to be a land of innocent joy at the moment. After all, this was a place where the unwanted were left, a congregation of abandoned young. And being forsaken was hardly a reason to be happy.
Sharp eyes scanned the groups for a suitable choice, a child that would meet the criteria the man had set in his mind.
They were good for any family just wanting to adopt to have an addition but did not match what he came here for.
His eyes fell on the lone figure sitting at the side, eyes staring ahead but not seeing. The lack of any expression on the beautiful face beckoned to him, the cold and stillness emitting from this child somehow fitted the idea he had formed. Kim Jong Kook knew he had found what he came for.
"I would suggest against that little one. He is a very beautiful child but has not shown much progress since he arrived."
"May I ask what brought him here?"
"Of course. It was heartbreaking. His father passed away in an accident, knocked down by a car. The poor boy saw the body lying in front of him and couldn't do anything about it. That was 2 months ago and till now, he's still reserved all the time, refusing to open up to anyone."
He nodded, adding a show of sympathy for the unfortunate event. "Then I would want to have this child even more, to bring warmth into his world."
"It is so nice of you to have such a thought. And since you are so insistent in this, I shall not try to stop you."
"Thank you so much." The smile on his face showed his satisfaction, but it was satisfaction for another reason unknown to the elderly woman before him.
Kim Jong Kook was very pleased with himself for his choice.
"Your name is Jaejoong?"
A nod, and not even looking up to take a peek like other curious young ones would.
"I'm going to bring you back to a home we will share and you will live with me from now on, is that alright?"
No objection was brought up, the boy not caring what would happen to him.
"I'm Kim Jong Kook and I'm going to be your Appa. Jaejoong, will you call me Appa?"
This time he looked up, the black in his eyes bright but opaque, a shield to hide his broken soul from the world. "Appa."
The man smiled and patted the head of jet black hair. Good boy.
Kim Jong Kook might not exactly be a businessman, not a person supposed to be concerned with strategy but when it came to planning for his future, he was unscrupulous. With a double major in neurology and psychology, the doctor was clearly aware that a person with such a background and character would hold no expectations in life and be easiest to control. This was exactly what he wanted, someone to obey him and carry out his every order.
End
Rays of the first light shone through the pane of glass, the rising sun a reminder of that day he spent an early morning like this in his car with Yunho asleep in the passenger seat. The young businessman still had him intrigued, his thoughts often drifting into wondering about the changes and discrepancies in the other's emotions and behavior.
As a doctor, Jaejoong was trained to be focused in what he does. Yet he could not control himself on the ambiguous actions he took when it came to this person who would have remained a stranger if he just stayed away. Something about Jung Yunho drew him in, becoming a distraction to the concentration he was used to.
Pushing the unusual thoughts out of his mind, he took off his lab coat and left the office. He was reluctant to let the curiosity grow. A part of him knew that expectations would come along and the price might be disappointment, a price he was unwilling to pay where this man was concerned.
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A/N: Just a short chapter to illustrate Jaejoong's past. Specially for all Jae lovers.
Will be back with more action next chapter.
Cheers!
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Kim Jaejoong
Kim Jong Kook