The Art of Deception (Yunho x Jaejoong) - Chapter One
**Note: The picture is a resized wallpaper that I DID NOT make and for which I take no credit.**
The Art of Deception (Chapter One)
Pairing: Yunho (DBSK) x Jaejoong (DBSK).
Category: K-Pop.
Length: Multi-chaptered.
Genres: Angst, drama, humor, romance.
Rating: PG-13.
Warning: Homosexuality, light swearing, sexual implications, violence.
Summary: Yunho is a rich son who’s never done anything to earn his own money. Attending snobby diners and appearing in social events with his parents is more than he can take, so he decides to run away, thinking that surely life is better elsewhere - anywhere but his place. Little does he know that it doesn’t get any better in the slums. His thirst for adventure will be quenched - a little too much. Enter street Kabuki actor Kim Jaejoong!
***
[Yunho’s POV]
This champagne is particularly exquisite, M. Jung. To what do we owe the honor of savoring it in your most precious company? Asks a disgraceful woman weighed down by a ridiculous amount of sparkling rocks and other priceless - yet sadly quite pricy - fineries. She bats her eyelashes, looking sincerely at a loss for words, as if this were possibly the greatest mystery of all times. If I wasn’t so used to the pathetic display, I would have thought she was pretending. If only it were so.
Next to her, a lady much like her provides an answer to the mystery. My dear friend, do we people of the high society truly need a reason to drink such a blissful beverage? Her hideous facial features, daubed with an absurd quantity of make-up, reminding one of a very sad-looking clown, are twisted in what is supposed to be innocent wonder but ends up looking nothing short of repulsive.
As if this wasn’t enough, one man joins this horrid comedy, letting out a deep chuckle that seems to fluster his company a tad too much. Any day is as good an occasion for us to toast to our success. Cheers!
The women don’t seem to be aware that the man is married.
The smell of his fortune and the sight of his handsome face suffice to reel them like flies to a lamp post.
Perhaps the thing that horrifies me the most is that this man is my father.
Disgusted, I turn on my heels, heading towards my only source of solace here - alcohol.
Trying to make myself as discreet as possible, I never avert my gaze from my destination, determined to grab a glass of wine and take off with it to a recluse corner of the room.
Or take off with the bottle. Or both.
It isn’t so much that I have an addiction, but rather that I have never really liked those mundane nights my parents can never find the strength - or common sense, whichever it is - to leave me out of. As a matter of fact, I don’t think there’s anything on this planet that I despise more than those. Just because my father is the owner of ultra-stylish world-famous Gogeub-in hotel chain, doesn’t mean I enjoy talking to a hoard of laughing hyenas whom are after his - soon-to-be my - wealth.
I only have the time to catch up with the rather good-looking waiter who is running away - okay, walking around - with my only possible means of surviving. As I take a fragile glass from his silver platter, flashing him a smile that he returns with equal vigor, and think that I would much rather spend the evening in his company, I feel a finely-manicured hand on my arm bid me to turn and face its owner…
“Yunho, dear, this lovely lady has been impatient to meet you…”
Cringing mentally, I produce a dashing smile for my mother and the lovely lady she brought before me. It’s true that she is somewhat pretty, but she doesn’t seem to be any different from all the others.
Without an ounce of intelligence and quite obviously after our family’s money.
“Good evening, erm… miss…?” I barely have the time to ask before she grants me an answer. “Aesook. Lee Aesook. It means lovely and pure. You see, I have a sister and her name is Aecha, so that’s why my parents gave me that name. It makes sense, right? I know.” She breathes out as if the résumé of her family history had been a single word. She stands mouth slightly agape and eyes wide and round like plates - expensive china, of course, nothing less for someone of her status. “You’re not really her type, though, no offense… Besides, she’s already married to an important heir. I, on the other hand…”
Shall remain single for a long time, I can’t help but think.
Jesus Christ. Get me out of here.
“Right, Aesook-ssi…” I trail off without knowing what to say in this situation that wouldn’t sound downright dumb and of little importance. Not that it matters, really. “Yeah, ha ha… It was really nice chatting with you, but I’m afraid I’ve urgent matters to take care of. If you’ll excuse me…”
After taking a pretty much meaningless bow and sending a small smile of apology in my sweet mother’s direction - she doesn’t seem to understand what could possibly be more important than humoring this young pretty lady; I could list a few things - I walk away in a fast pace, trying to blend in the crowd as best as I possibly can. Once that’s done, I down my glass which I hand to the cute waiter who seems more than happy to take it back, and walk disinterestedly towards the exit, making sure that no one sees me.
No use staying here any longer and postponing my plans. If I don’t take action now, I never will…
As soon as I step outside, I allow my frozen smile to drop at last and my face to display my true feelings at the moment - not casual pleasure, but anger, annoyance.
What was that, a marriage arrangement? Don’t I have a say in this?
I’m tired of being treated like a piece of furniture with a price tag on. This boring, aimless life has become too much for me to take. I just want to live my own life… Is that too much to ask?
Apparently, it is, seeing how my parents insist that I inherit the family business.
Well, damn. They’ll have to find me first.
To be honest, I do not know what I’m doing, nor do I know where I’m going. I’ve always led this kind of life and the futility of it all was always a growing burden to me, but it seems like it has finally reached the point where I cannot carry it any longer. I want nothing of such a boring existence. If that’s how it will be for as long as I remain here, then I will just have to leave and do something about it.
Ready for something new, I literally let my feet guide me wherever they will choose to escape, already curious as to what I’m going to learn and experience in this new life of mine. The fresh air fills my lungs mercilessly and for some reason, what should be a common sensation to me feels like a whole new experience, if only for the fact that I’m finally free to do as I wish, as my own person.
I don’t know why, but my feet suddenly feel much lighter to me, so much that I pick up the pace, walking faster and faster until I’m practically running through the empty streets like a bolt of light, unstoppable.
Enough with the pretences. To hell with the sweet lies.
Tonight, I put these all behind me.
I’m aware that what I’m doing is probably very foolish, since I made up my mind on a whim - I haven’t prepared anything to bring along. But I feel like I’ll explode if I stay here one more minute.
That thought alone is enough to chase away all remaining doubt I might have had.
With that state of mind, I continue walking without stopping, deep in my thoughts, unaware of my whereabouts and frankly not caring one bit about where I’m going. This city can’t be that big, right?
Without thinking much of any course of action I might have done well to plan, I take a left, then a right, then another left and keep on going like this, zigzagging through the streets, not caring one bit about what potential onlookers might think if they were to see me. All that matters is that I get as far from my house as possible. I can’t be caught, lest I be taken back to a life of boredom and stagnancy.
I’ve never known anything else, but for some reason, I can’t help but think that I’m missing out on something important. Surely life can be more exciting than that…
No matter where I end up, it will always be easy to go back if I change my mind.
Not that I have any intention to return, of course… Simply, it’s comforting to know that I can should the need arise. But I have decided to take off and I will not be made to reconsider. Although I was quick to take action, I have been thinking about this since forever and tonight just happened to be the final straw. No matter what happens now, I won’t back down from this, definitely not.
That is what I think, even when I realize that I have no idea where I am anymore.
Not the slightest clue whatsoever. I’m completely lost.
Well… This is what I wanted, isn’t it? Now that I don’t have my father peering over my shoulder and watching my every move, I can start a new, exciting life.
What could possibly happen on such a lovely night?
One upward look to the sky is all it takes to convince me that this is the only possible solution. If I don’t want to wind up like all those depthless individuals that my father surrounds himself with, I have to find myself in a situation where I have no choice but to rely on myself only, where not everything falls straight into my lap without me having to lift my little finger. Only then can I grow.
I want to meet people for whom money isn’t the only thing that matters. I want to learn from them before it’s too late and I’m reduced to a rotten life form less than a man. They have to be out there…
And more than anything, I want to be freed of the chains known as family inheritance binding me.
My heart pounds against my chest as I repeat to myself inwardly the reason why I’m doing this, and what I can possibly achieve. My resolve continues to strengthen with every step that I take, giving a purpose to my reckless actions tonight. I can’t believe I’m finally alone…
It’s true. The farther from home that I get, the darker my path becomes, as the city lights seem to flicker out at my approach. The buildings also seem to grow closer to one another and their state deteriorates before my eyes, going from highly sophisticated edifices to dilapidated ghosts of constructions that must have seen better days…They seem solid enough, but they exude nothing but poverty.
Now that I think about it, I don’t remember ever setting foot in this part of town…
I know of a few people who would cry out in distaste, were they to stumble across such sad scenery…
Frowning, I keep on walking, my eyes taking in the desolate sight.
And that is precisely when I start to see something odd that I had failed to notice at first. If I actually take the time to prick up my ears, I can make out shuffling sounds that suggest footsteps going on around me. If I accept that much, it makes sense that I would start perceiving shadows gliding between the trees as well as in and out of the shallow alleyways spiraling around the cramped structures. The creeping silhouettes suddenly take form and come to life before my eyes, whispering among themselves.
Truth is, I am most definitely not alone. No, I can see that I have company…
I ignore the slithering serpents, thinking that showing signs of fear will only encourage them to… do whatever they might be planning to do… so I keep my head high and continue walking as if I knew exactly where I’m going - except I don’t. But that doesn’t matter, does it? I just have to be convinced and convincing. Pretend until the end. Play the game and be the winner.
It seems to work, because although the hidden creatures - people? - continue peering at me closely as I walk by them, never taking their eyes away, they remain where they are, unmoving.
Nevermind them. They don’t scare me the least bit.
I’m fully intent on brushing them aside until I lose them completely, but as I glance to the side to avoid looking at them, I catch side of a shadow sitting on the ground with his arms around legs propped up against his chest. I don’t want to stare, lest he decides to come after me, but I must say he has an intriguing air about him, despite the fact that I cannot see his face very well…
A sudden event forces me to break eye contact with him as it draws my attention to it.
A sudden light warns me of an approaching vehicle (the first one in a long time) and I am forced to sidestep brusquely on the sidewalk; I had been walking in the street since it was so desert. That maneuver gets me closer to the mysterious individual, and for a second, time seems to stop as the car’s headlights light up the stranger’s visage, granting me a sight that takes my breath away to the last puff of air.
Holy Mother of God... Tell me I’m not dreaming…
Eyes of the deepest coal observe me innocently under a beanie that is lowered just a little too much down for me to see them in all their splendor. Under them stands an elegant nose - delicate, but not so much that it would go unnoticed. It tops an attractive mouth and a pair of full lips that stand out on the silken plain of flawless skin that is his face. I’ve never seen such raw beauty in my life before… In all truth, I could draw up a chair and watch him for hours on end without getting tired. I am thoroughly taken aback by such outstanding perfection that tugs at my heart and leaves me without bearings.
I am… shaken. I have to be. Otherwise I wouldn’t be blabbing such tasteless poetry…
The charming illusion only lasts a split second, though, before the pure expression molds into a new one, turning the gentle smile into a cunning smirk and the kind pools of black into sharp obsidians.
Puzzled, I don’t even have the time to realize what’s happening.
When the icy feel of water on my legs registers in my brain, it’s already too late. The car has run into a deep puddle of what seems to be the remnants of a downpour and I jolt back at the awful feeling. Now it isn’t so much the incident that bothers me, as the fact that the handsome bystander was the witness of it. He isn’t laughing, but his restrained features and frozen smile indicate that he’s struggling not to.
It does seem like it would be too much to ask for a little fake concern, huh…?
Hmph. Whatever. I didn’t come here to be made a fool of.
Slightly hurt in my pride, and embarrassed to lose face in front of such a beauty, I continue on my way, cursing my bad luck and starting to shiver already. As I do so, I feel a very slight breeze in my back, almost as if someone had come literally gliding past me. Startled, I freeze in my tracks as cold sweat starts breaking on my temple - a clear indicator of my nervousness - and I hope that it goes unnoticed by all who are present. I can’t let them know - think - that I’ve been unsettled.
I would be put at a higher risk if I were to show signs of vulnerability and…
As these thoughts pass through my mind, something brushes against my butt and my heart does a double take in my chest (and I in my shoes) as I barely hold back a yelp of surprise.
What in the world…? I cannot believe the nerve of whoever just dared…
I’m about to whirl around and give the person who did this a piece of my mind when someone breathes into my ear with a low and slightly husky voice that dampens my spirits quite a little, making the hairs on my neck stand. “Hey, thanks.” It simply says before its owner pulls away from me, taking his warmth with him, and as he walks past me, I become aware that the person is question is the guy that caught my attention moments ago. The raven-haired, porcelain-skinned, doll-faced young man.
I have mixed feelings. I’m not exactly sure how I’m supposed to feel.
Torn between a combination of resigned indignation and misplaced pride - truly -, I try to find something clever to say to him before he gets away, but my brain is already busy trying to process the stranger’s words. Thanks…? Whatever could he have meant? That’s what I ask myself watching his back while he retreats, hands in his pockets as he whistles carelessly. No shame whatsoever.
What a complete weirdo. He may be cute, but I can tell from his attitude that he’s not all there…
I certainly don’t need to get involved with such a guy. My life can only be better if I stay away from him.
At any rate, it might be wise to retreat for the night. Taking a vacation from my genitors doesn’t mean I should throw myself at trouble as soon as it points its ugly head… And given my lack of experience, moving around so late in the evening doesn’t sound like a very smart thing to do. For that reason, I head for a small building that looks sufficiently trustworthy and that has a small sign hanging at its front door, illuminated by dim lights that are pretty much the only source of brightness around.
Must be an inn of some sort. At least now I can get some sleep and start anew tomorrow.
So I fish into my back pocket as I head towards the modest hostel, only to find that…
My wallet is gone. Vanished into thin hair. Where did I…?
And then I frown as it hits me. That bastard.
“You have GOT to be kidding me…!” I can’t help but cry out, piqued.
What am I supposed to do, now…?
Chapter Two