Redeeming Eden Chapter Twenty Two
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
10th December
Stepping into the tastefully furnished grand lobby of Naeba Prince Hotel, the project group immediately felt warmer as compared to the journey in the freezing air outside.
"Glad to see that you have reached safely." A man in his mid 20s walked towards the group, intently approaching the leader. "You must be Lee Junki-sshi, I'm Lee Minwoo, the General Manager of Naeba Prince Hotel."
Taking the offered hand in a firm handshake, Junki was both surprised and relieved to find that the man was of the same descent as them. At least, this would take care of all language and translation problems. "Pleasure to meet you, Lee Minwoo-sshi."
"I've been expecting you all morning. Was there a problem with your transport? We do expect that it might be more difficult to travel since snowfall turned out to be heavier this year."
"Thank you for your concern. It was fine, and we only had to stop once." Turning around slightly, he brought the curious figure to his side. "Lee Minwoo-sshi, let me introduce you to our veterinary consultant for this project. This is Kim Junsu-sshi."
"Pleasure to meet you, Lee Minwoo-sshi." The youngest man gave a slight bow and flashed a smile.
"Pleasure to meet you too, Kim Junsu-sshi." Returning the polite gestures, Minwoo then took the key cards from the front desk where they had been prepared. "I believe you must be tired from your trip here. Let me bring you to your rooms for a rest."
With nods of acknowledgment, the group followed the man to the building where they would stay for the next few days.
---
The silence in the lift added to his embarrassment at the shrill ring of his mobile phone.
"Junsu-ah, are you at the hotel yet?"
"Yes, Hyung."
"None of you called for such a long time, I was getting worried."
"There was a slight delay on the way here and we just arrived not long ago."
"Okay, what's most important is that you're safe. I've got to go now, there's work waiting for me. Take care of yourself, alright?"
"I will. You take care too, Hyung."
Pressing down on the red tabbed button to end the call, Yunho allowed himself a small smile of satisfaction before burrowing back into the pile of documents in front of him. Wait for me. I'll finish all this and be there in time to celebrate your birthday with you. I'll be there to keep you warm.
---
11th December
Pointing to the area map, the manager explained the general landscape. "As you can see, our hotel sits surrounded by mountains and snow for most parts of the year. The nearest body of water is Lake Tashiro, which is linked to us by the 5.5 kilometers long Dragondola. the world's longest gondola. And I guess getting sea water here for the project would be the biggest challenge."
"That would definitely be a problem to be solved but we will do what we have to and not endanger the dolphins by trying to cut costs. Is there anything else we should take note of, Junsu?"
Looking up from the file containing information on the hotel and its surrounding environment, the youngest pondered for a moment before answering. "The common dolphin is generally widely distributed in temperatures and given that the project plans for a heatable habitat, the cold weather in this region should not be a concern. Feeding wise would also no problem so I agree that irrigation would be the biggest issue."
As they were passing the ground floor conference room, the doors suddenly opened, offering a slight surprise. And the offer in store for the veterinary consultant was much greater.
Stepping out in lead of the rest of the meeting attendees, the 2 men ended their discussion with smiles and a firm handshake.
"Park-san, we will hold another meeting tomorrow to firm up on the details then?"
"Of course, Naohito-san. I'm sure that this would be a great collaboration between our companies."
The Korean man noticed the trio, giving Junki a nod in acknowledgment but ignoring the shorter figuring standing to his right. Without another word, he left for the main lobby.
Not showing much of his curiosity, Minwoo commented on the other's presence. "Park Yoochun-sshi is here for a trade meeting with one of Japan's biggest trade firms, the Fujiki Corporation. The young man with him just now is the new Chairman of the corporation, Fujiki Naohito. A very promising young man who took over the company when he was just a teenager and managed to so well, the company is one of the most well known in Asia. And Lee Junki-sshi is acquainted with Park Yoochun-sshi?"
Sensing a slight unease from the silent one, he just brought the topic over with a short answer. "Yes, we have met a couple of times on business. Shall I suggest that we end here today? Then Junsu can have more time to go through the information and check if anything else is needed."
"I agree. Let me see you back to your rooms."
---
It was a shining sheet of white, the moonlight reflecting off the snowy slope ahead, bringing the glow of a million luminescent pearls against the dark skies above.
Turning away from the glass pane, he pulled the thick cashmere coat tighter around himself, the heated air of the room not doing much to keep the cold off his skin nor his heart.
If only you could be here to keep me warm. I'm sorry that I let you be cold too...
---
The twinkling diamonds in the skies told a story of growing sorrow, each sparkle carrying a hint of sarcasm at his lone being and the empty space between his held out arms.
Yet he could not stop looking at the burning gaseous matters as they brought back memories of nights with the one he loves in his arms, indirectly easing the pain the same sighting caused.
Would there be a day when we can look at the stars together again as I hold you in my arms?
---
Walking into the VIP room, he remained unimpressed by the decoration efforts put in to emphasize the wealth of the owner. Instead of appearing grand, it leaned towards looking gaudy.
"Ah, Doctor Kim has finally arrived! I've been expecting you all evening. Come, take a seat here."
Immediately following the words of the host, the butler ushered the new guest to the seat next to Senator Bae.
Despite showing no active acceptance to the intent, there was no resistance on his part too. After all, he was here under instructions to please the older man.
Kim Jong Kook had accepted the invitation and then very conveniently sent his adoptive son in his place, fully aware of the senator's particular interest in the younger male.
Seeing how Jaejoong had taken the seat with compliance, Senator Bae felt his satisfaction rise. He personally filled a glass with whiskey and offered it to the other. "Have a drink first. Dinner will be served once all the guests have arrived."
"Thank you." Taking the offered drink, he took a sip, choosing to overlook the fact that the rough hand sneaked a touch on his.
The young doctor looked around the room, putting his attention everywhere else but on the man sitting next to him. He responded with a nod or short one word answers as he was spoken to. Ignoring the hand that had slid around his waist, he continued his act of nonchalance as he tried to focus on anything that would help him put less notice on the irritating lump beside.
Unexpectedly, the lustful hands removed themselves as the doors opened to reveal another young man walking in.
"Chairman Jung, it's a pleasure to have you with us tonight."
He walked forward to take the outstretched hand, giving a firm handshake. "It's my honour to be here with you. Thank you for inviting me, Senator."
Jaejoong stared into the glass, concentrating on the rolling of the ice cubes. Damned, why does it have to be him?
Catching the eye of the silent young man as he looked up, Yunho gave a nod of acknowledgment, which was returned without much added expression.
The men settled back into their seats, the host returning to his previous activity of entertaining the doctor by his side.
Still not responsive to the wandering hands, he started to take more interest on the young businessman but did not dare to show it outwardly. And it has to be him that's here to see these hands on me...
However, unknown to the guests who had only seen the new arrival busy interacting with the others sitting next to him, the man was clearly aware of the immoral movements the senator was making.
A couple of minutes passed before the limit to Yunho's patience was reached. He stood and walked over, then pulled the uncaring victim to his side. "I thank you for having us here this evening, Senator. However, I think that there is no necessity for us to stay on and perhaps you can get yourself an actual toy for your dirty interest instead of taking liberties with others."
Hence, they left the luxurious room, one half forcefully pulling the other out, as they left a dumbfounded angry older man to his own embarassment.
"Let go of me! Why did you bring me out? I was supposed to attend the dinner."
Finally letting go of the reddened wrist when they reached the main road, Yunho turned around to face the person he had almost dragged out of the mansion's premises. "What are you going to do? Go back there? And let him touch you again?"
Unable to reply, Jaejoong fixed his eyes on the uneven patterns on the tar road, teeth pressing into his lower lip as he held back on a retort. Who are you to mind such matters? There's nothing between us and it's all none of your business.
Presenting a gentle hold on his arm, the younger man gave a light tug. "Come, let's walk a bit. I've sent my chauffeur a text to come pick us up."
He remained silent, not answering or moving an inch.
A soft yelp was heard as the doctor felt himself being lifted onto a strong muscular back, his legs held at the sides of the other's waist and he quickly threw his arms over the broad shoulders to prevent falling off.
Neither said anything else as they proceeded down the road, a warming peace having settled in their hearts.
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A/N:
1) Jung Global Enterprise have a project to build a dolphin pool at the resort as a new tourist attraction. It's a collaboration with the hotel and Junsu is the veterinary consultant.
2) Jaejoong was at the dinner because Kim Jong Kook wanted to strengthen his power to keep his position as Director of the hospital, so he needed to build good relations with powerful people like the senator. And he knew that the senator was interested in Jaejoong.
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Jung Yunho x Kim Jaejoong
Park Yoochun x Kim Junsu