Past, Present & Future, Chapter 13
Chapter 13: Surprises & Emotions
Yunho was chatting with Jihye in his office when he heard a commotion outside his door. Before he got a chance to stand up and check with his secretary his office door was opened wide and there stood someone with a familiar face holding a bottle of expensive wine and a bouquet white rose.
“Hello Yunho, am I interrupting something? Your date, perhaps?” Yunho could smell the liquor from the man’s body. He must’ve drunk before he got there. The man walked closer to them as he smiled to Jihye, “I’m sorry to interrupt your time with the Vice President, but I need a company to drink too.”
He tossed the bouquet to Yunho, “Here, aren’t I thoughtful? I brought your favorite flower.”
Yunho just stood in awe, watching Jaejoong shamelessly humiliated himself in his office. Some people are starting to gather in front of his office including 2 security guards (must be his assistant’s work) but they wouldn’t take any action unless Yunho said something. He sighed as he told his assistant to close his door. He had to deal with this himself.
Jaejoong had sat himself next to the flustered Jihye. “I saw you a lot around Yun. He must be serious with you, hm? Oh, poor me…” He leered at her. “So when’s the wedding?”
Jihye didn’t know what to reply so she stood up, “Oppa, I think it’s time for me to leave.”
Yunho rubbed his temple, welcoming another headache, “Ji, I- Aish! This idiot! I’m sorry, I’ll call you. I promise.”
She smiled in understanding and nodded her head at Jaejoong who started to doze off in the sofa, “Take care of him. I’ll call you after my shift’s over tonight. Bye, Oppa.”
Yunho kissed her cheek, “Tell Min to call me too and stop pretending to be so busy, will you. Sorry again about this.”
Jihye laughed and closed his office door softly.
He sighed as he sat himself in front of Jaejoong. How things changed in a few years.
He obtained his High School degree with much effort and after 2 years in University he was granted with an opportunity to continue his study online instead of in-class sessions. He didn’t waste the chance and kept studying diligently while holding his responsibility in the office with Min Sook’s assistance. He’s thankful for that man’s support.
Changmin really left after the handover. He was able to manage not having Changmin around. But Moonbin also left to stay with Jaejoong. It was a hard blow at first, but after both father and son had time to think clearly and reasoning themselves, they contacted each other again. Moonbin’s still staying with Jaejoong but they’ve made a deal. They didn’t call each other much, but Yunho knew that he could trust him. He would return to him. He felt sorry for hiding so many secrets from him, he vowed that when the time come for them to reunite, he will be a better father for his son. His Moonbin.
He didn’t have the heart to sell his house and the mini market. There’s so many memories in that place and it would be a crime to just leave it for something bigger. He gave the house and everything else in there to Jihye. The girl was shocked and refused but he assured her that she’s the only one that he could entrust the property and the memory to. She finally agreed in one condition, she would be the keeper and not the owner. She stayed at the main house, continuing her medical study while managing the store. She hired a supervisor and 2 storekeepers on Yunho’s expense to run the store. She’s in her last year already and practicing at a hospital for another year before she graduated next year.
Another thing was that she was the one who could finally open up his brother about his feelings. He visited her once and she smacked a sense out of him right there and then. Though he didn’t stay at the city anymore, they called each other many times and Changmin visited her sometime. She was the one who was always updating Yunho about his brother’s whereabouts. She also met Yunho annually to report about the store. It’s a small store and it’s unnecessary for her to do that, there’s always email and phones but she said at least she could tell Changmin how he is if she see him in person. And that’s what their meeting was all about just now.
Everything was working perfectly except for his relationship with Jaejoong. The first time they met after his appointment as Vice President (Min Sook refused to make him an assistant but went straight with the position much to others’ disagreement) was also the time when Moonbin told him that he’s moving out. He hated that man for separating him and his son. But after he patched things up with Moonbin he realized that he’s desperate to win him over once again.
There were countless of times when he suddenly came barging in into his office, giving him a casual seduction here and there… to the point that their past was finally no longer a secret in the country. How would it be possible? Kim Corp.’s CEO was showing up at Jung Inc. all the time to see the Vice President.
One clue leads to another and their story became ‘the story of the year’ 2 years ago, even made a bigger headline than their fathers’ death. Yunho learned not to feel humiliated with the names that the press was calling them in the articles but it was a wonder to everyone that he hadn’t requested a restraining order for Jaejoong after a few years. He didn’t drop by many times like he used to, but for showing up drunk like today? It’s the first time. And it’s not even lunchtime yet. Yunho didn’t dare to imagine what kind of headlines would show up in tomorrow’s paper.
That Jaejoong was still able to do his job was also a wonder to Yunho. Must be because he has a capable assistant, Park Yoochun. If there’s anyone who could cover up his job as a CEO then it’s only Yoochun. Yunho had met him a couple of times when he was still learning under Min Sook, and he could tell that that man knows the company better than Jaejoong does.
He didn’t hate Jaejoong anymore. In fact, he pitied him. Even now that Moonbin’s living with him, the boy didn’t have much interaction with him. He refused to be adopted as a Kim, so he stayed as Jung Moonbin. In a few phone calls he told him about how Jaejoong lived at home, his strained relationship with his mother and the boy even asked him once if he never considered to get back together with him anymore?
He’s not ready. Not now.
Is he afraid that Jaejoong would disappoint him again? Perhaps.
Doesn’t he start to love that man again? He’s not sure. Surprisingly, he didn’t reject Jaejoong’s kiss in his few attempts in the past. But he didn’t reciprocate with it either. He’s not pushing him away, but not accepting him with open arms. Maybe that’s the reason that lately Jaejoong was getting restless whenever he showed up in front of him. But he couldn’t help himself. There are more important things to settle but his love life.
He stood up and called his assistant. “Call Park Yoochun-ssi, tell him to come and pick up Jaejoong-ssi in my office. I’m going out, just leave him there until Yoochun-ssi arrives.”
He caressed the sleeping man’s face. ‘Don’t torture yourself like this Jae… ‘ He’s tempted to kiss the man while he’s sleeping but decided not to. Instead, he walked away and out of his office, leaving him in his drunken slumber.
* * * * *
Moonbin got off the car and thanked the driver as he made his way inside the mansion. The maids greeted him good afternoon and he replied with a smile. As he walked towards the stairs a soft voice was calling him from the living room.
“You’re very early today, did something happen at school?”
Moonbin turned his heels to where the owner of the voice was sitting with a magazine in her hand. “Good afternoon Halmeoni. It’s the end of the semester, remember? Summer holiday starts next week.” He sat himself on the lone sofa across hers. “Ahhh, it’s so cool inside… I can’t stand the heat out there!” He huffed as a strain of hair fell on his temple, covering his eyes.
“You should have a haircut, it’s getting ridiculously long.” The old woman said to him with an affectionate smile.
“I know, but I’m too lazy to do that. I guess I just have to do it tomorrow since it’s the weekend. So what you’re doing?” He casted a curious glance at the magazine that’s opened on the woman’s lap.
“Oh, nothing… you know I’m not the only one who has anything to do around the house.” She smiled. “Just reading to catch up what’s the trend in the life of youngsters like you.”
Moonbin laughed, “Yeah, right. And what do you find out?”
“I should be concerned that you might be hiding a girl in your closet if you don’t answer the door soon when I knock… And instead of telling you not to have sex so soon, I should be considerate and tell you to use condom instead…”
The boy’s eyes widened, “What kind of magazine is that! Oh gosh, don’t tell me that you believe everything in it!” He whined and slumped further into the sofa as the old woman laughed at him.
They chitchatted for some moments when peace was broken by a sound of the slamming front door. Both tensed when someone passed and decided to stop by and stood in front of them. While the older woman sat stiffly and just stared at the flower vase on the coffee table, Moonbin kept calm and smiled at the man.
“Good afternoon, Jaejoong-ahjussi.” Fury was visible on Jaejoong’s face but somehow he’s not afraid.
“Get up and come to my study.” Jaejoong told him and turned on his heels without a glance at his mother who now had a worried look on her face.
Moonbin sighed and got up to do what he said. “Sorry Halmoeni, I’ll be right back.” He whispered softly to her and she nodded weakly.
Moonbin followed Jaejoong to his study, he could smell a faint odor of alcohol and he sighed. The stupid things that he do under the sunlight; that man really didn’t care about his image. He’s waiting for what the man has to say to him as he stood in front of him. He was sitting on his leather chair looking rigid and terribly annoyed.
He spoke first, regardless that would annoy Jaejoong even more. “So, you have something to tell me?”
Jaejoong looked at him intently and said to him without any trace of emotion, “You can leave this place anytime you want to. I don’t care where you’re going to or how you’re going to take care of your stuff, but you can leave.”
“Excuse me?” Moonbin thought that he must be hearing something wrong. But the next thing he knew was that he almost got hit by a pen that Jaejoong threw.
“I said you can leave!! Wasn’t that what you want all along? To return to your- your so called Father!! Well I’m giving you what you want, LEAVE!!”
Moonbin was still in shock when Jaejoong got up from his seat and grabbed his uniform collar, “Why the hell are you still standing here instead of running back to your father?? Why the hell th-“
The study room’s door banged open and Yoochun rushed to separate the two of them. “Jae, get a grip! Stop being a jerk and cool down!”
Jaejoong now turned his attention to his best friend, “Oh, now I’m the jerk! After all my effort I guess I’m not worth an ounce of forgiveness!! Did you see that girl who’s always hanging around him, Chun?? What’s her name… Jihye? I interrupted their little date at his office this morning and he left me sleeping in his office room while he went out to run after her!”
Moonbin wanted to interrupt his hysterical babbling, “Ahjussi, Ji-noona is not-“
“Oh it’s Noona for you? Guess what, you might have to call her Umma shortly.” He laughed maniacally. “This is great, the humiliation of being woken up in someone else’s office and walking out under the scrutiny of some lowlife security guards!”
Yoochun told him sharply, “You know it’s no one’s fault but yours! Why did you show up in his office early in the morning, drunk? Don’t you have enough trouble to cause him already! Get real Jae!”
“I’m getting real!! But I don’t want to give up!! He forgave his father! He forgave his runaway brother! Buy why can’t he forgive me!! TELL ME!!” He reached out for the cup on the table and threw it to Moonbin’s direction once again before Yoochun can stop him, “YOU TELL ME WHY CAN’T YUNHO FORGIVE ME!!!”
Moonbin didn’t have time to dodge the flying cup as it hit the side of his head. He was lucky that the underside of the cup was covered with felt. The cup only broke when it hit the floor but still the pain was unbearable as he staggered in dizziness and was caught by Yoochun before he falls on the floor. He didn’t bleed but a nasty bump was instantly visible on the side of his head.
“DAMMIT JAE! WAKE UP!” Yoochun yelled at him as he tried to steady Moonbin.
Jaejoong was heaving, but his eyes were empty with despair and pain.
“Jaejoong…” There’s a whisper by the door where Jaejoong’s mother was standing now, shocked with what she saw. “Don’t ruin yourself, my son, stop it.”
Now Jaejoong’s emotion was directed towards his mother. “You’re calling me son??? SON?? Then where the hell have you been all my life?? Where were you when my father beat me up because he thought that could set his gay son straight!! Were you even looking for me when I ran away??? Did you think of me?? You never said a word to me, but you could laugh with this kid who doesn’t even know his real parents!! HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME!! HOW COULD YOU!!!”
Moonbin thought that Jaejoong would do something to his mother, so he let go of Yoochun’s hold to stand by Jae’s mother when suddenly in the middle of his rage Jaejoong hiccupped and coughing blood. Time seemed to stop for everyone who was watching and the next second Jaejoong was lying on the floor.
Yoochun ran to where he is, Moonbin was holding Jaejoong’s mother as her legs gave out on her. It was chaos, the maids were screaming and the butler was calling and ambulance.
In the middle of the messiness, Moonbin can feel the old woman shaking and sobbing in his arms while she kept saying, “What have I done? What kind of mother I have been? My poor son… my poor son…” She kept saying those words over and over as Moonbin kept a tighter hold on her.
No matter how confusing things were, there’s only one thing on his mind right now. He can leave. He can return to his father. Jung Moonbin is coming home soon.
* * * * *
Chapter 14
Yunho was chatting with Jihye in his office when he heard a commotion outside his door. Before he got a chance to stand up and check with his secretary his office door was opened wide and there stood someone with a familiar face holding a bottle of expensive wine and a bouquet white rose.
“Hello Yunho, am I interrupting something? Your date, perhaps?” Yunho could smell the liquor from the man’s body. He must’ve drunk before he got there. The man walked closer to them as he smiled to Jihye, “I’m sorry to interrupt your time with the Vice President, but I need a company to drink too.”
He tossed the bouquet to Yunho, “Here, aren’t I thoughtful? I brought your favorite flower.”
Yunho just stood in awe, watching Jaejoong shamelessly humiliated himself in his office. Some people are starting to gather in front of his office including 2 security guards (must be his assistant’s work) but they wouldn’t take any action unless Yunho said something. He sighed as he told his assistant to close his door. He had to deal with this himself.
Jaejoong had sat himself next to the flustered Jihye. “I saw you a lot around Yun. He must be serious with you, hm? Oh, poor me…” He leered at her. “So when’s the wedding?”
Jihye didn’t know what to reply so she stood up, “Oppa, I think it’s time for me to leave.”
Yunho rubbed his temple, welcoming another headache, “Ji, I- Aish! This idiot! I’m sorry, I’ll call you. I promise.”
She smiled in understanding and nodded her head at Jaejoong who started to doze off in the sofa, “Take care of him. I’ll call you after my shift’s over tonight. Bye, Oppa.”
Yunho kissed her cheek, “Tell Min to call me too and stop pretending to be so busy, will you. Sorry again about this.”
Jihye laughed and closed his office door softly.
He sighed as he sat himself in front of Jaejoong. How things changed in a few years.
He obtained his High School degree with much effort and after 2 years in University he was granted with an opportunity to continue his study online instead of in-class sessions. He didn’t waste the chance and kept studying diligently while holding his responsibility in the office with Min Sook’s assistance. He’s thankful for that man’s support.
Changmin really left after the handover. He was able to manage not having Changmin around. But Moonbin also left to stay with Jaejoong. It was a hard blow at first, but after both father and son had time to think clearly and reasoning themselves, they contacted each other again. Moonbin’s still staying with Jaejoong but they’ve made a deal. They didn’t call each other much, but Yunho knew that he could trust him. He would return to him. He felt sorry for hiding so many secrets from him, he vowed that when the time come for them to reunite, he will be a better father for his son. His Moonbin.
He didn’t have the heart to sell his house and the mini market. There’s so many memories in that place and it would be a crime to just leave it for something bigger. He gave the house and everything else in there to Jihye. The girl was shocked and refused but he assured her that she’s the only one that he could entrust the property and the memory to. She finally agreed in one condition, she would be the keeper and not the owner. She stayed at the main house, continuing her medical study while managing the store. She hired a supervisor and 2 storekeepers on Yunho’s expense to run the store. She’s in her last year already and practicing at a hospital for another year before she graduated next year.
Another thing was that she was the one who could finally open up his brother about his feelings. He visited her once and she smacked a sense out of him right there and then. Though he didn’t stay at the city anymore, they called each other many times and Changmin visited her sometime. She was the one who was always updating Yunho about his brother’s whereabouts. She also met Yunho annually to report about the store. It’s a small store and it’s unnecessary for her to do that, there’s always email and phones but she said at least she could tell Changmin how he is if she see him in person. And that’s what their meeting was all about just now.
Everything was working perfectly except for his relationship with Jaejoong. The first time they met after his appointment as Vice President (Min Sook refused to make him an assistant but went straight with the position much to others’ disagreement) was also the time when Moonbin told him that he’s moving out. He hated that man for separating him and his son. But after he patched things up with Moonbin he realized that he’s desperate to win him over once again.
There were countless of times when he suddenly came barging in into his office, giving him a casual seduction here and there… to the point that their past was finally no longer a secret in the country. How would it be possible? Kim Corp.’s CEO was showing up at Jung Inc. all the time to see the Vice President.
One clue leads to another and their story became ‘the story of the year’ 2 years ago, even made a bigger headline than their fathers’ death. Yunho learned not to feel humiliated with the names that the press was calling them in the articles but it was a wonder to everyone that he hadn’t requested a restraining order for Jaejoong after a few years. He didn’t drop by many times like he used to, but for showing up drunk like today? It’s the first time. And it’s not even lunchtime yet. Yunho didn’t dare to imagine what kind of headlines would show up in tomorrow’s paper.
That Jaejoong was still able to do his job was also a wonder to Yunho. Must be because he has a capable assistant, Park Yoochun. If there’s anyone who could cover up his job as a CEO then it’s only Yoochun. Yunho had met him a couple of times when he was still learning under Min Sook, and he could tell that that man knows the company better than Jaejoong does.
He didn’t hate Jaejoong anymore. In fact, he pitied him. Even now that Moonbin’s living with him, the boy didn’t have much interaction with him. He refused to be adopted as a Kim, so he stayed as Jung Moonbin. In a few phone calls he told him about how Jaejoong lived at home, his strained relationship with his mother and the boy even asked him once if he never considered to get back together with him anymore?
He’s not ready. Not now.
Is he afraid that Jaejoong would disappoint him again? Perhaps.
Doesn’t he start to love that man again? He’s not sure. Surprisingly, he didn’t reject Jaejoong’s kiss in his few attempts in the past. But he didn’t reciprocate with it either. He’s not pushing him away, but not accepting him with open arms. Maybe that’s the reason that lately Jaejoong was getting restless whenever he showed up in front of him. But he couldn’t help himself. There are more important things to settle but his love life.
He stood up and called his assistant. “Call Park Yoochun-ssi, tell him to come and pick up Jaejoong-ssi in my office. I’m going out, just leave him there until Yoochun-ssi arrives.”
He caressed the sleeping man’s face. ‘Don’t torture yourself like this Jae… ‘ He’s tempted to kiss the man while he’s sleeping but decided not to. Instead, he walked away and out of his office, leaving him in his drunken slumber.
* * * * *
Moonbin got off the car and thanked the driver as he made his way inside the mansion. The maids greeted him good afternoon and he replied with a smile. As he walked towards the stairs a soft voice was calling him from the living room.
“You’re very early today, did something happen at school?”
Moonbin turned his heels to where the owner of the voice was sitting with a magazine in her hand. “Good afternoon Halmeoni. It’s the end of the semester, remember? Summer holiday starts next week.” He sat himself on the lone sofa across hers. “Ahhh, it’s so cool inside… I can’t stand the heat out there!” He huffed as a strain of hair fell on his temple, covering his eyes.
“You should have a haircut, it’s getting ridiculously long.” The old woman said to him with an affectionate smile.
“I know, but I’m too lazy to do that. I guess I just have to do it tomorrow since it’s the weekend. So what you’re doing?” He casted a curious glance at the magazine that’s opened on the woman’s lap.
“Oh, nothing… you know I’m not the only one who has anything to do around the house.” She smiled. “Just reading to catch up what’s the trend in the life of youngsters like you.”
Moonbin laughed, “Yeah, right. And what do you find out?”
“I should be concerned that you might be hiding a girl in your closet if you don’t answer the door soon when I knock… And instead of telling you not to have sex so soon, I should be considerate and tell you to use condom instead…”
The boy’s eyes widened, “What kind of magazine is that! Oh gosh, don’t tell me that you believe everything in it!” He whined and slumped further into the sofa as the old woman laughed at him.
They chitchatted for some moments when peace was broken by a sound of the slamming front door. Both tensed when someone passed and decided to stop by and stood in front of them. While the older woman sat stiffly and just stared at the flower vase on the coffee table, Moonbin kept calm and smiled at the man.
“Good afternoon, Jaejoong-ahjussi.” Fury was visible on Jaejoong’s face but somehow he’s not afraid.
“Get up and come to my study.” Jaejoong told him and turned on his heels without a glance at his mother who now had a worried look on her face.
Moonbin sighed and got up to do what he said. “Sorry Halmoeni, I’ll be right back.” He whispered softly to her and she nodded weakly.
Moonbin followed Jaejoong to his study, he could smell a faint odor of alcohol and he sighed. The stupid things that he do under the sunlight; that man really didn’t care about his image. He’s waiting for what the man has to say to him as he stood in front of him. He was sitting on his leather chair looking rigid and terribly annoyed.
He spoke first, regardless that would annoy Jaejoong even more. “So, you have something to tell me?”
Jaejoong looked at him intently and said to him without any trace of emotion, “You can leave this place anytime you want to. I don’t care where you’re going to or how you’re going to take care of your stuff, but you can leave.”
“Excuse me?” Moonbin thought that he must be hearing something wrong. But the next thing he knew was that he almost got hit by a pen that Jaejoong threw.
“I said you can leave!! Wasn’t that what you want all along? To return to your- your so called Father!! Well I’m giving you what you want, LEAVE!!”
Moonbin was still in shock when Jaejoong got up from his seat and grabbed his uniform collar, “Why the hell are you still standing here instead of running back to your father?? Why the hell th-“
The study room’s door banged open and Yoochun rushed to separate the two of them. “Jae, get a grip! Stop being a jerk and cool down!”
Jaejoong now turned his attention to his best friend, “Oh, now I’m the jerk! After all my effort I guess I’m not worth an ounce of forgiveness!! Did you see that girl who’s always hanging around him, Chun?? What’s her name… Jihye? I interrupted their little date at his office this morning and he left me sleeping in his office room while he went out to run after her!”
Moonbin wanted to interrupt his hysterical babbling, “Ahjussi, Ji-noona is not-“
“Oh it’s Noona for you? Guess what, you might have to call her Umma shortly.” He laughed maniacally. “This is great, the humiliation of being woken up in someone else’s office and walking out under the scrutiny of some lowlife security guards!”
Yoochun told him sharply, “You know it’s no one’s fault but yours! Why did you show up in his office early in the morning, drunk? Don’t you have enough trouble to cause him already! Get real Jae!”
“I’m getting real!! But I don’t want to give up!! He forgave his father! He forgave his runaway brother! Buy why can’t he forgive me!! TELL ME!!” He reached out for the cup on the table and threw it to Moonbin’s direction once again before Yoochun can stop him, “YOU TELL ME WHY CAN’T YUNHO FORGIVE ME!!!”
Moonbin didn’t have time to dodge the flying cup as it hit the side of his head. He was lucky that the underside of the cup was covered with felt. The cup only broke when it hit the floor but still the pain was unbearable as he staggered in dizziness and was caught by Yoochun before he falls on the floor. He didn’t bleed but a nasty bump was instantly visible on the side of his head.
“DAMMIT JAE! WAKE UP!” Yoochun yelled at him as he tried to steady Moonbin.
Jaejoong was heaving, but his eyes were empty with despair and pain.
“Jaejoong…” There’s a whisper by the door where Jaejoong’s mother was standing now, shocked with what she saw. “Don’t ruin yourself, my son, stop it.”
Now Jaejoong’s emotion was directed towards his mother. “You’re calling me son??? SON?? Then where the hell have you been all my life?? Where were you when my father beat me up because he thought that could set his gay son straight!! Were you even looking for me when I ran away??? Did you think of me?? You never said a word to me, but you could laugh with this kid who doesn’t even know his real parents!! HOW COULD YOU DO THAT TO ME!! HOW COULD YOU!!!”
Moonbin thought that Jaejoong would do something to his mother, so he let go of Yoochun’s hold to stand by Jae’s mother when suddenly in the middle of his rage Jaejoong hiccupped and coughing blood. Time seemed to stop for everyone who was watching and the next second Jaejoong was lying on the floor.
Yoochun ran to where he is, Moonbin was holding Jaejoong’s mother as her legs gave out on her. It was chaos, the maids were screaming and the butler was calling and ambulance.
In the middle of the messiness, Moonbin can feel the old woman shaking and sobbing in his arms while she kept saying, “What have I done? What kind of mother I have been? My poor son… my poor son…” She kept saying those words over and over as Moonbin kept a tighter hold on her.
No matter how confusing things were, there’s only one thing on his mind right now. He can leave. He can return to his father. Jung Moonbin is coming home soon.
* * * * *
Chapter 14