[fic] Of Secrets [Chapter 1]
Title: Of Secrets
Length: 2/?
Genre: AU/Drama
Pairing: eventually
Summary: Becoming a pianist cost Jaejoong his childhood, and what will happen when he loses this skill he worked so long for? Little did he know will lose a lot more by keeping this secret all to himself.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3: Part 1
Chapter 3: Part 2
Previously: "And so the rare meeting ended with a clumsy goodbye. "
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Chapter 1
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Jaejoong leaned against the counter to take a breather while wiping his forehead with the back of his sleeves. The restaurant was exceptionally busy today, maybe due to the approaching winter tourism season. His feet were sore and his back was tense, but he could do nothing about them as he was called to work once again.
"Jaejoong! Table nine!"
He wordlessly took the tray of food and made his way over to the table. Glancing at his watch, he was relieved to see that it was nearly four o'clock; ten more minutes until his shift was over. Looking forward to the time he would get to spend with Sungwoong, he quickly served his table in hopes of getting his tips before he leaves. However, things didn't go as smoothing as planned when Jaejoong caught sight of his manager by the door, beckoning him in.
"Yes, Manager? Is there something you need me for?" Jaejoong asked anxiously when he walked into the room. He could only hope he wasn't in trouble.
"Yes, there is something I need you for. I need you to OT tonight."
Jaejoong froze at the sudden request. There was no way he could do that since he needed to pick up Sungwoong. His mind reeled to find a better way to refuse. "Manager..." He started with hesitance. "You know I have a son, who is very young. He is at daycare right now and no one will be able to pick him up..."
"Aish! It's your son again? Don't give me that excuse. All those times I let you off early for your son, don't you remember them? Can't you help me out this time?"
Jaejoong gulped. He knew he was threading on thin ice when his manager started to use guilt. "But Manager, I really don't have anyone to pick him up today. The daycare will close at 4:30, and then he'll be all alone! I have to go by then." Jaejoong jumped when his manager slapped the table in response.
"I pay you to get work done and not for you to go around trying to get sympathy! This isn't the first time you cannot work upon request! You know full well that this job requires flexible hours. Do you want to continue working here or not?"
"Manager! You know how much I need this job and--!"
"And you should also know I'm running a business here! This isn't a charity organization! Remember, I only let you work here because you desperately wanted to perform here. If you can't help me out when I need it, don't bother coming back."
Jaejoong could only stare at his manager, too afraid to answer. It was true that if he loses his waiter job in the day shift, he would not be able to come back as a pianist in the evening shift; it was part of the contract. That would mean he would lose two jobs at once. His manager tapped his fingers impatiently.
"So what's the decision KimJaejoong? Are you willing to help me out, or do you think you are unfit for the job?"
His watch showed 15 minutes past four. He was already running late, and he knew that more begging would not help the cause. With a sigh of defeat, Jaejoong stood up and said "Thank you for the opportunities for the past year. It was my honor to be able to work in this restaurant. I'm sorry for my incompetence." With that, he bowed and rushed out of the office.
Running into the locker room, he groaned at the clock. The time showed he already missed his only bus. Grabbing all his things, he dashed out of the restaurant, ignoring the confused looks from his co-workers and customers. He didn't have the time to think about them right now. Knowing he would be late since it would be impossible to catch a taxi at this hour of day, he pulled out his cellphone to call the daycare, only to be met with busy signals.
"Dammit! Why does everything have to go wrong at the same time?!" Jaejoong breathed deeply to try and calm himself. Doing some mental calculations, he decided that he would only be ten minutes late if he ran at his fastest speed. With no more options left, Jaejoong did just that.
He ran.
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"Yunho-hyung? Why isn't Appa here yet?" Sungwoong asked again for the (Yunho-lost-track-of-how-many) times.
"I don't know. Why do you think your Appa isn't here yet?" Yes, answer a question with a question. Questions should keep this little Sungwoong busy for awhile.
"Maybe....he forgot?"
"He won't forget."
"Maybe he got too tired and stopped halfway?" Sungwoong scrunched his face in deep thought.
"Your Appa won't get tired so easily."
"Maybe...he went to buy cookies?"
"Why would he do that when he can just make them? No, I think he went to buy beans."
"But I don't like beans! I bet he went to buy chocolate!"
"I think it's fish."
"No, it's milk!"
"Pork."
"Chicken!"
"Yunho!" Yunho turned to the person who called out his name, who walked over to where Yunho and Sungwoong were sitting.
"Yes Changmin?" Yunho pulled out a mini plastic chair for him to sit on.
"I tried calling Sungwoong's Appa, but the line was busy. What should I do? I need to close up."
Yunho pondered over it for a moment. He didn't like how he got caught up in this bad situation. Usually on the days of his dance practices, by the time he comes to pick up Moonbin, Sungwoong would be gone. Even though he voluntarily stayed to make sure everything was alright, it still irked him that he would be going home late. Yunho sighed as he put a sympathetic hand on Changmin's shoulder. "Sorry something like this happened on your first day of work."
Changmin shook his head. "Hyung, don't say that! I only got this job because of you! Anyway, things like these are bound to happen sooner or later right?"
"Aish! Don't speak so highly of me! I merely told you about the job opening." But Yunho smiled anyway at Changmin's humbleness. They had been friends for many years now, being in the same grade at the same school despite the age difference. Many of the classmates were envious of Changmin, and Yunho, who couldn't stand their childish behaviour, decided to step in. Since then, Yunho had protected him like his own brother, and Changmin in turn held Yunho in high respect.
"HYUNG! WHEN CAN WE GO HOME?" Moonbin's voice came echoing from the washroom where he came running out of.
Just then, Yunho came up with a great (or what he thought was great) idea.
"Why don't I bring Sungwoong home with me?"
Changmin's eyebrow rose at the suggestion. "And how will that help the situation?"
"Well, then you can close up, and I can keep on phoning Ajushi until he picks up."
Changmin gave a slow nod in response. With two more vigorous nods from the little ones, an agreement was made.
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A panting, sweat-covered Jaejoong stood in front of the daycare centre.
To be exact, a very dark and unlit daycare centre.
Jaejoong could only curse as he tortured the nearest tree with his kicks. I was only ten minutes late! Why do you have to close up so on time?
Unknowingly, Changmin sneezed on the way home.
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End of Chapter 1
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A/N: I think I write too concisely. Do you think the plot is going too fast? Am I missing out too much detail? I really can't tell, so I apologize in advance for any confusion. Thank you for all who commented! I really appreciate it!
Length: 2/?
Genre: AU/Drama
Pairing: eventually
Summary: Becoming a pianist cost Jaejoong his childhood, and what will happen when he loses this skill he worked so long for? Little did he know will lose a lot more by keeping this secret all to himself.
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3: Part 1
Chapter 3: Part 2
Previously: "And so the rare meeting ended with a clumsy goodbye. "
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Chapter 1
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Jaejoong leaned against the counter to take a breather while wiping his forehead with the back of his sleeves. The restaurant was exceptionally busy today, maybe due to the approaching winter tourism season. His feet were sore and his back was tense, but he could do nothing about them as he was called to work once again.
"Jaejoong! Table nine!"
He wordlessly took the tray of food and made his way over to the table. Glancing at his watch, he was relieved to see that it was nearly four o'clock; ten more minutes until his shift was over. Looking forward to the time he would get to spend with Sungwoong, he quickly served his table in hopes of getting his tips before he leaves. However, things didn't go as smoothing as planned when Jaejoong caught sight of his manager by the door, beckoning him in.
"Yes, Manager? Is there something you need me for?" Jaejoong asked anxiously when he walked into the room. He could only hope he wasn't in trouble.
"Yes, there is something I need you for. I need you to OT tonight."
Jaejoong froze at the sudden request. There was no way he could do that since he needed to pick up Sungwoong. His mind reeled to find a better way to refuse. "Manager..." He started with hesitance. "You know I have a son, who is very young. He is at daycare right now and no one will be able to pick him up..."
"Aish! It's your son again? Don't give me that excuse. All those times I let you off early for your son, don't you remember them? Can't you help me out this time?"
Jaejoong gulped. He knew he was threading on thin ice when his manager started to use guilt. "But Manager, I really don't have anyone to pick him up today. The daycare will close at 4:30, and then he'll be all alone! I have to go by then." Jaejoong jumped when his manager slapped the table in response.
"I pay you to get work done and not for you to go around trying to get sympathy! This isn't the first time you cannot work upon request! You know full well that this job requires flexible hours. Do you want to continue working here or not?"
"Manager! You know how much I need this job and--!"
"And you should also know I'm running a business here! This isn't a charity organization! Remember, I only let you work here because you desperately wanted to perform here. If you can't help me out when I need it, don't bother coming back."
Jaejoong could only stare at his manager, too afraid to answer. It was true that if he loses his waiter job in the day shift, he would not be able to come back as a pianist in the evening shift; it was part of the contract. That would mean he would lose two jobs at once. His manager tapped his fingers impatiently.
"So what's the decision KimJaejoong? Are you willing to help me out, or do you think you are unfit for the job?"
His watch showed 15 minutes past four. He was already running late, and he knew that more begging would not help the cause. With a sigh of defeat, Jaejoong stood up and said "Thank you for the opportunities for the past year. It was my honor to be able to work in this restaurant. I'm sorry for my incompetence." With that, he bowed and rushed out of the office.
Running into the locker room, he groaned at the clock. The time showed he already missed his only bus. Grabbing all his things, he dashed out of the restaurant, ignoring the confused looks from his co-workers and customers. He didn't have the time to think about them right now. Knowing he would be late since it would be impossible to catch a taxi at this hour of day, he pulled out his cellphone to call the daycare, only to be met with busy signals.
"Dammit! Why does everything have to go wrong at the same time?!" Jaejoong breathed deeply to try and calm himself. Doing some mental calculations, he decided that he would only be ten minutes late if he ran at his fastest speed. With no more options left, Jaejoong did just that.
He ran.
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"Yunho-hyung? Why isn't Appa here yet?" Sungwoong asked again for the (Yunho-lost-track-of-how-many) times.
"I don't know. Why do you think your Appa isn't here yet?" Yes, answer a question with a question. Questions should keep this little Sungwoong busy for awhile.
"Maybe....he forgot?"
"He won't forget."
"Maybe he got too tired and stopped halfway?" Sungwoong scrunched his face in deep thought.
"Your Appa won't get tired so easily."
"Maybe...he went to buy cookies?"
"Why would he do that when he can just make them? No, I think he went to buy beans."
"But I don't like beans! I bet he went to buy chocolate!"
"I think it's fish."
"No, it's milk!"
"Pork."
"Chicken!"
"Yunho!" Yunho turned to the person who called out his name, who walked over to where Yunho and Sungwoong were sitting.
"Yes Changmin?" Yunho pulled out a mini plastic chair for him to sit on.
"I tried calling Sungwoong's Appa, but the line was busy. What should I do? I need to close up."
Yunho pondered over it for a moment. He didn't like how he got caught up in this bad situation. Usually on the days of his dance practices, by the time he comes to pick up Moonbin, Sungwoong would be gone. Even though he voluntarily stayed to make sure everything was alright, it still irked him that he would be going home late. Yunho sighed as he put a sympathetic hand on Changmin's shoulder. "Sorry something like this happened on your first day of work."
Changmin shook his head. "Hyung, don't say that! I only got this job because of you! Anyway, things like these are bound to happen sooner or later right?"
"Aish! Don't speak so highly of me! I merely told you about the job opening." But Yunho smiled anyway at Changmin's humbleness. They had been friends for many years now, being in the same grade at the same school despite the age difference. Many of the classmates were envious of Changmin, and Yunho, who couldn't stand their childish behaviour, decided to step in. Since then, Yunho had protected him like his own brother, and Changmin in turn held Yunho in high respect.
"HYUNG! WHEN CAN WE GO HOME?" Moonbin's voice came echoing from the washroom where he came running out of.
Just then, Yunho came up with a great (or what he thought was great) idea.
"Why don't I bring Sungwoong home with me?"
Changmin's eyebrow rose at the suggestion. "And how will that help the situation?"
"Well, then you can close up, and I can keep on phoning Ajushi until he picks up."
Changmin gave a slow nod in response. With two more vigorous nods from the little ones, an agreement was made.
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A panting, sweat-covered Jaejoong stood in front of the daycare centre.
To be exact, a very dark and unlit daycare centre.
Jaejoong could only curse as he tortured the nearest tree with his kicks. I was only ten minutes late! Why do you have to close up so on time?
Unknowingly, Changmin sneezed on the way home.
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End of Chapter 1
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A/N: I think I write too concisely. Do you think the plot is going too fast? Am I missing out too much detail? I really can't tell, so I apologize in advance for any confusion. Thank you for all who commented! I really appreciate it!