Project 2035 | Chapter 8/10
Project 2035
Author: love_cassiopeia
Summary: Fast forward to the year of 2035. The Korean republican government has fallen prey to the dictatorial regimes of the Jung family. Jung Yunho is to become Korea’s future emperor, introducing a new world to the citizens under his name. Kim Jaejoong is an adroit assassin, plotting to abolish the government by shedding Yunho’s blood. It appeared easy at first for the shrewd assassin to kill the new leader, but will the fickle game of love serve as a worthy obstacle?
Rated: NC-17
Warning(s): NC-17 material, language
Genre: Romance
Pairing(s): YunJae, minor Yoosu
Chapter 8
Life after my crucial discovery was difficult yet strangely simple. There were times when I constantly overanalyzed Jaejoong’s behaviour and pondered over the truth and also times when I spent my long summer nights with the one man I couldn’t live without, Yoochun. Although he was giving me plenty of attention, there was something on my mind that continued to bother me persistently. What if Jaejoong really did have an affair with Jung Yunho? What if Yunho found out about Project 2035 through Jaejoong? If what I predicted was to happen, then I, along with the rest of the organization would be terminated. I had no need to worry for Jaejoong’s life, but I had all the right to worry for my own.
So despite every moment spent alone with Yoochun and every ounce of satisfaction he brought me, it was difficult to keep the subject off my mind. Surely Yoochun trusted Jaejoong down to the last bone, but life ironically, is not about trust. If I was in Yoochun’s shoes and decided to look past Jaejoong’s beauty and skill for even a second, I would see that he is capable of betrayal. Every single human is, and I had the opportunity to see it for myself that day when our top assassin shared an intimate kiss with our despised enemy.
Oh, how my blood boiled as I replayed that scene over and over again. I really had no intention to, but then again, it was inevitable.
I loaded my small gun and packed a few supplies into my suit. I left the house rapidly, not having the patience to consider whether I was doing the right thing or not. I stepped onto the streets of Old Seoul and headed to the border that would lead me to New Seoul. This was the path I had chosen to take. Although Yoochun warned me not to act without caution, I was willing to sacrifice love for my own beliefs.
I pictured myself to be the complete opposite of Jaejoong.
As I made my way toward the royal palace, the sole mission echoing throughout me was to kill Jung Yunho. But as I continued walking, I considered putting Jaejoong to death as well.
“We should most definitely visit Old Seoul someday once again.”
You laughed at my sudden outburst and gave me a friendly nudge in the ribs.
Gazing upon that warm and welcoming expression on your face, it didn’t take me long to figure out that it was you I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.
As soon as we were ready that morning, we lifted the sheets over our bodies, changed back into yesterday’s clothes, and left your apartment to head back to New Seoul. Although the city was typically simple with a few delirious decorations, I must say that I fell in love with Old Seoul from the very first glance. I was a bit crestfallen at this point, knowing that now, I was obligated to return to the palace to re-welcome reality.
It was horribly rainy today. The two of us were sitting in the palace greenhouse, admiring the raindrops through the limpid glass windows. My lips met with yours briefly a few times (we didn’t need it, we simply wanted it), but I kept the affinity to a minimum, knowing that a simple kiss would gladly lead us to ridiculous heights. I’m sure the plants in the greenhouse had no intention to watch us if we were ever to let loose and give in to our desires.
“It was the best day of my life.” I spoke after an insignificant pause. “I’ve never been so at ease.”
Your amiable smile carried the tiniest grain of misery as your eyes met mine. “I’m glad you were able to feel this way.” You noted. “I really am.”
You wrapped your long arm around me, pulling me into an incomplete embrace. You laid your head upon my shoulder, sighed doubtfully, and continued staring out at the pouring rain.
“Is there something wrong?” I asked immediately as I perceived that trace of qualm in your eyes.
You shook your head. “No, it’s not that…” You murmured, and then raised the volume of your voice. “Y-Yunho…” You stuttered. “Have you ever thought that I was strange… or mysterious in any way? Like I was keeping a secret from you?”
Your question sent a frigid chill up my spine, leaving me speechless. Now that you mentioned it, I realised that there was perhaps a side to you that I had yet to find out. During these past few months, you rarely-correction, never-told me anything about yourself or your lineage. You didn’t tell me what your family was like or how your life was before you met me. The only thing you bothered to do was to listen to my complaining without impatience, all the while trying to reply me with commiseration and sympathy.
You never said a single word about yourself.
“Sure.” I answered hesitantly. “But that’s what makes you, you.” I responded. “With that dark enigma surrounding you, you’re all the more alluring.”
You chuckled slightly-a forced one, informing me that this was not a time for jokes. “Look Yunho…” The tone of your voice turned sombre. “I have to tell you a secret about myself-just like how you told me that you were adopted. But please don’t look upon me in a different way after this, all right?”
My heart ached at your frantic advocating, and so I nodded.
“Of course.” I replied without worry. “How could I ever feel different about you because of one simple flaw? After all this, you’ll still be the same Kim Jaejoong, right?”
“Right.” You muttered uncertainly.
“Go on with it, it’s all right.”
It was impossible to wipe that apprehensive frown off your face, and so I gave up trying and instead focused my full attention to the words that were to soar from your lips at any minute.
“Before I came to the palace to become a palace chef, I was a completely different person.” You started out ambiguously. “I worked for an underground organization called Project 2035.”
“Where are you getting at?” I questioned. “Project 2035?” I reiterated.
You placed my hand in yours and began to speak rapidly. “I’m sorry Yunho, but Project 2035 is an organization that is structured to abolish the government.”
That was the line that had the power to push me off a cliff. All traces of bliss were wiped clean from my face, leaving me with only fear and confusion.
“I’m sorry Yunho, but I have to tell you full truth. If I don’t tell you, then I might never be able to love you so naturally ever again.” Your tear ducts were moistening up swiftly. “The truth is, my parents never died in a car crash. They were revolutionaries who spoke out against the government. And even though they tried their hardest to do so, they lost pitifully because the authorities had them killed. Under your parents’ orders, they died-disappeared-from the face of the earth, forever.”
Every word you spoke said so much and yet so little. I had no energy to interrupt you, so I let you continue.
“After my parents’ death, I began to hate this government tremendously. Other orphans who experienced the same pain I did formed the group, Project 2035, in hopes that they would exterminate you-the throne’s only hope by that year-and to re-establish the old government system.” You sighed, pulling your cold palms away from mine. “I met a man named Park Yoochun there. He and I had…quite a relationship. I began to work under him; to learn to hate the Jung family just as much as he did. I was so in love with him at that time. He was so different yet so similar to you. I was willing to do everything for him.
“And so I did it-the one thing that I will end up regretting for the rest of my life. I trained to become an assassin under him; to learn to fight, to shoot a gun. Our organization’s goal was to murder you before your crowning year, 2035, arrived. I, ironically, was sent here on the job this February as a palace chef, and alas, this is how I arrived here.”
After your lengthy monologue concluded, I was at a loss of words. My mind was clouded with a thick fog, leaving me no clear path to embark on.
I stared back at you in disbelief. “What the hell, Jaejoong! This is all made-up crap used to scare me, isn’t it?”
You said nothing, but the tentative frown on your face explained everything.
“I-it can’t be!”
You hung your head. “I-I’m so sorry… but that was me then and this is me now!” Your frustration brought specks of tears to taint your pale skin. “I-I… I care about you now.”
I didn’t want to believe you. But the sincerity you displayed as you uttered your confession was enough to make my decision for me. Of all the things in this entire world, I never imagined you-the lover who I trusted with my entire life, had actually reviled me at one part of your life and wanted to murder me!
“So why am I still alive?”
My words made your frown deepen. “I love you, Yunho! I would never dare to think about killing you!”
“So ‘love’ is the only reason, is it?” I scoffed. “What if I was an overweight midget with acne all over my face? Would I be dead now?”
You gave me a glare. “Yunho! That’s not the point!”
I let my eyes scan over the discouraged look in your eyes. “I can’t believe you, Jaejoong!” I shouted. “I can’t believe you for hating me so much to the point that you’re willing to kill me! I can’t believe you let me live just because you were enticed by me! And lastly, I can’t believe you for betraying your own kind to sleep and live with me! Who are you, Jaejoong? I don’t even know anymore.”
I guessed that my last words angered you deeply. “Don’t start with me, Yunho! I’m still the same Jaejoong you felt attracted to in the beginning!” You convinced. “You’re only losing your temper now because you know your precious life is in danger!”
“My precious life?” I echoed. “You think that I want to continue living this ‘precious’ life?”
“Who wouldn’t? You’re human, aren’t you? It’s human nature!”
“I’m a human stuck in hell!” I cried out. “Don’t think that I’m a shallow coward, putting all my strength into staying alive and living that one extra day. My life is a horrific nightmare! And still, people like you think that I love my life and wouldn’t want to let go even when the time comes?”
“I never said such a thing.” You argued.
I exhaled heavily. “You hinted it-so damn much during our past few months together. You told me how lucky I was to be here, to have ownership of this heavenly palace. You can’t possibly envy me for all this shit, right? And even if it is envy, is that what brought you to consider killing me? Killing me because you desired my riches?”
“That was my mission, Yunho!” You tried to elucidate. “I was sent here on an assignment!”
I had no intention to listen to your excuses. “But you agreed to it.” I indicated. “After your parents died, you spent your whole life hating the Jungs. That’s what brought you to join Project 2035, isn’t it?”
“But I couldn’t help it! I was an orphan-”
“Stop telling your lies, Jaejoong! They’re pathetic!” I inhaled after wasting all my breath on my fury. “I just… can’t believe you predicted that I would be the same as my parents.”
Silence. I considered that either I made the correct assumption or that you were too breathless to say anymore.
“You walked in here, thinking that I was a typical Jung, worthy of holding a supercilious personality while wiping away every single obstacle in my path, no matter how much I killed.” I theorized. “You walked in here to kill me without even know who the hell I was!”
I stood from my seat in the greenhouse after my bitter statement and walked out into the pouring rain. I couldn’t stand being here anymore, listening to your words that eliminated every last emotion I harboured towards you. So I left you by yourself in the greenhouse. It didn’t take long for tears to reach my face.
After a few moments of furiously walking through the pouring rain, I felt a forceful tug on my arm. Turning around, I realised that it was from you.
“Yunho, I apologise for what this has caused you!” You had tears on your cheeks as well.
“I won’t tell the authorities about it.” I declared. “Just-stay away from me!”
“Yunho!” You called out after I turned around and headed the opposite way. “I can’t!” He shouted. “No matter how hard I try, I can’t keep myself away from you”
Hearing those words, I ran-flew-through the palace gardens and then to the courtyard. The pain in my chest created by your words worsened as my endurance failed me. Soaked with rain, I took shelter at the nearest palace wing and walked straight into the room. Little did I know that I would find something so strange and extraordinary within the extent of that room.
As I glanced up, I saw a man clothed in black alone in the room, exhibiting neatly-trimmed brown hair and a height few inches shorter than mine. He was pointing a gun at me.
“It’s nice to meet you, Jung Yunho.” The man said as he prepared to pull the trigger. “I’m Kim Junsu. Any last words you’d like to say before I kill you?”
Oh I know, I know, this chapter was relatively short and I’m leaving it once again at a cliff-hanger. Although there are only two chapters left and it might seem rash of me to end it within those two chapters, there are going to be a lot of important events occurring during those last instalments.
Must I remind you that this is a mini-fic? I know my usual fics range around 20 chapters or so, and this is certainly a change. I will go back to the original length though for my next fic, which I’ll probably post during Christmas break if school doesn’t keep me too busy this year.
I’m assembling an OST for this right now. I’ll be posting it as usual on the update of the last chapter =D
Please leave a comment, thank you!
-Cindy
Previous chapters: Prologue + Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 |
Want more? For a list of chapters and stories, please don’t hesitate to visit my fanfiction archive