Vertigo Chapter 12
A week passed just like that. Changmin didn’t expect he could do all the tests quite easily, but still hoping for the best result. Junsu’s wedding plan was progressing fast, and Changmin was relieved that his bestfriend wasn’t as stressed out like before.
He was the one stressing out.
After school on Friday, Junsu came over to take a look at the photos Changmin would print for the wedding.
“I’m meeting Yunho’s parents tomorrow,” Changmin said, biting his lower lip.
Junsu turned his gaze from Changmin’s laptop monitor. “Really?”
“What should I do?”
“What do you mean what should you do?” Junsu lay comfortably on the bed. ”Didn’t you say Yunho had met your parents several times? It won’t be a big deal,”
Changmin huffed, turned his chair around. “You weren’t nervous when you meet Yoochun’s parents for the first time?”
“We’ve known each other since I was 13. I’ve met them before we bonded.”
Changmin shoulders fell. He asked the wrong person.
“Yeah. You have to put more effort, I guess. I’m imagining those rude, evil chaebol moms in dramas,” Junsu said after some time, extended his arm to pat Changmin’s shoulder. “Isn’t his mother a designer?”
“His sister is. His mother too, I think. How do you know?”
“Yoochun told me. Your mate and mine are pretty close, apparently.”
“What else do they talk about?”
Junsu hummed. “Us.” He looked at Changmin. “Because some time ago, Yoochun asked me about you.” He tilted his head. “To think of it, he’s spying for Yunho, don’t you think?”
“Spying?” Changmin laughed. “Oh wait, I think you’re right.” He remembered that time when he told Yunho that Junsu wanted to get married in a soccer stadium. Well. That was where Yoochun proposed the day after he revealed that fact to his mate.
“By the way, where will you meet his parents? You’re going to his house?”
“I don’t know yet. He hasn’t told me.” Changmin said. “I’m not good at making conversations. What if we’ll just sit there staring into whatever in front of us.”
“It won’t happen. Yunho will be there too, right?”
“He has to be.”
“You shouldn’t be this nervous. His mother is probably nicer than you think.”
Changmin sighed. “That’s what I hope.”
*
“I will pick you up after work, so… around 5.30?” Yunho called him that night.
“Okay.” Changmin didn’t want to voice out that he was nervous. “Where are we going?”
“My mother’s doing the reservation, I don’t know where yet.”
“Your sisters will be there too?”
“I don’t know. Why?”
Changmin let out a little laugh. “Nothing…” he hoped if Yunho’s sisters came, Mrs Jung attention would be a little divided. But what if there would be more people judging him? Well… Soojung was pretty nice, though.
“Sooyeon is beautiful. I actually want to hide her from you.”
“Why?”
“I don’t want you to fall in love with her.”
“Dummy.” Changmin chuckled.
“That’s the laugh I want to hear,” Yunho said. “Changmin, I know you’re nervous. Don’t be.”
“… how do you know?”
“You hold your breath. I kinda want to hear it, though.”
Changmin breathed out the air he had been holding unconsciously. “I can’t help it.”
“You are my mate. There’s nothing anyone can do about it. Whatever happens won’t change anything.” Yunho said.
Changmin wanted to inhale Yunho’s scent. His mate’s calming voice wasn’t enough. “Alright.”
“I will see you tomorrow, okay? Sleep well.”
“Yeah… goodnight, Yunho-shi.”
“Night, Changmin.”
*
Changmin stood in front of his drawer after shower, wondering what to wear. He had been standing for half an hour and he still didn’t have any idea. The beads of water on his body had dried off completely. He decided to call for help.
“Junsu, what should I wear?”
“Huh?”
“I’m meeting the Jungs. What should I wear?”
“Oh, right. Um, where are you going?”
“A restaurant.”
“Duh, I mean is it formal?”
“I… don’t know.”
Junsu sighed.
Changmin wanted to give up. Junsu was muttering something. “What?”
“I’m talking with Yoochun.”
“What? You told Yoochun?”
“He said probably Yunho will take you to his favorite restaurant.”
“No, his mother’s booking and I don’t know where.”
Junsu didn’t answer rightaway, probably talking with Yoochun again. “Then it will be an upscale restaurant. Do you have something formal to wear?”
“…the school blazer?” Changmin opened another drawer. His clothes were dominated by tshirt and shirt, and jeans.
“Do you want to borrow my suit? I just took it from the tailor.”
“You have a suit?” why did Junsu had one while he didn’t?
“Yeah, for the wedding-“
“Are you crazy?!”
“Yoochun said that too.”
Changmin sighed. “Should I borrow from my father?”
“Hm… isn’t your father shorter than you?”
Changmin let himself fell on the bed. He was wearing nothing but a towel around his waist.
“Just wear Yunho’s favorite color.”
“Why?”
“Well… maybe it will be a plus point from your future mother in law for knowing her son’s preference?”
There was a slap sound, and Changmin wondered if Yoochun and Junsu was doing a high five.
“There’s a probability she booked a simple restaurant, Min. Well, of course she’s meeting his son’s mate, but it’s not like engagement dinner or something like that. What if you guys are eating in McD and you’re wearing a suit with a tie? It’d be stupid.”
Changmin tried to calm himself. Yunho had told him not to be nervous. He was making a fuss. “I don’t think we’re going to eat in McD, though.”
“For instance,” Junsu added.
Changmin huffed. “Right.”
“Pull yourself together, okay. It’ll be fine.” Junsu said. “Text me later!”
Changmin was trying his shirts. The black one was a little short. And… the white one, wasn’t it too plain? There was a navy with light blue dots, but he wondered if it was too childish. He found the dark brown shirt, his mother said it suited well with his eyes.
Changmin wore that.
And he had maroon sweater. Junsu didn’t say anything wrong, after all. He knew Yunho liked that color, and he decided to put that on over his shirt. And a pair of khaki for the bottom. He wondered if he should style his hair, remembering Yunho’s neat slicked back hair. There was styling hair gel in his dresser, and he applied it to his hair.
It was a disaster.
It looked weird for him. Changmin brows furrowed as he eyed his big ears stuck out. He looked like an elephant. He groaned and washed his hair.
His phone rang.
Changmin had a quite hard time finding it under the pile of his clothes. His hands were also busy drying his hair. Yunho called and he answered.
“Hello? Sorry I’m a little late. I’ll be there in 5 minutes.”
“You’re late?” Changmin looked at his clock. Right. It was 5.40 already. “It’s okay, it’s okay. I didn’t’ realize…”
“Are you ready yet?” Yunho asked. “I’m almost there.”
“Okay, I’ll come out.” Changmin said hurriedly. He took his wallet and put it with his phone in his pocket. He ran downstairs and wore his shoes, went out and locked the door behind him.
Yunho was there already, in front of his gate. “Shall I greet your parents first?”
“They’re not home. Visiting my grandma and will be back tomorrow.” He answered, entering Yunho’s car.
Yunho was smiling, staring at Changmin.
Changmin gulped slowly. “What?” he wondered if he looked funny.
“You look good.” Yunho’s smile widened. “Your hair’s still wet,” he brushed a strand of hair on Changmin’s forehead.
Changmin didn’t say anything, but Yunho’s touch did make him felt better. And he inhaled Yunho’s scent as much as he could from that distance.
“It will be just my mother. My father’s having a dinner with a business partner, but he said he’ll come later.” Yunho started to drive. “And Soojung’s busy with her homework. Sooyeon’s hanging out with her friends.”
“Too bad. I want to see her.”
“Why?” Yunho glanced to the younger.
“Didn’t you say she’s beautiful?” Changmin grinned cheekily.
“Naughty,” Yunho faked a pout.
Changmin laughed a little, trying to hide his nervousness.
And Yoochun was right. It was an upscale restaurant. Luckily his hair had dried by then.
Yunho greeted the valet driver and got off the car, Changmin just followed. Yunho gave his car key and they entered the restaurant. The building had a strong classic image with European style architecture. Tall windows and sculpted pillars. White linen spread on round tables. People chatting, glass clinking. The waiter and waitress wore suits and dress shoes, plain black and white.
Yunho didn’t have to say the reservation name, the manager who was in charge recognize him right after they enter, and led them the way. “Mrs Jung just arrived earlier,”
“I hate to make her wait,” Yunho said to the manager, who just smiled.
Their table was located further away, but close to the kitchen. Mrs Jung already sat there, her back facing them.
“Thank you,” Yunho smiled to the manager. He then put his hand on his mother’s shoulder. “Mother, we’re here,”
Mrs Jung turned her head. Her hair was rolled to a bun on the lower side of her head. She stood up and Changmin could see her slim figure, encased by a simple but elegant black gown that fell right on the floor. He knew Mrs Jung was older than his mother, remembering that Yunho, the first son, was much older than Changmin himself. But she took a good care of her appearance, and hid her flaws well. Changmin didn’t see any wrinkles on that white, porcelain face. Her eyes were big and clear.
And Yunho had his mother’s lips.
“This is Shim Changmin, mother. My mate.” Yunho put his hand on Changmin’s back.
Changmin blinked and hoped he didn’t stare too much. He quickly gave her a bow. “Hello, nice to meet you, Mrs Jung.”
“I am Jung Sooae. Nice to meet you too, Mr Shim,” Sooae said.
“Please just call me Changmin,” Changmin said with a smile, dared himself to look her in the eye.
Her smile didn’t reach her eyes. She was looking at Changmin from top to bottom, inspecting him. Nobody needed to tell him, even the waiter and waitress dressed much better than him. And her eyes stopped at his shoes.
Changmin glanced at his shoes.
He was in a hurry when Yunho called, and he wore his old sneakers. It was automatic, he used to wear them for school. He really wished the warm light of the restaurant didn’t reveal the dirt of his shoes.
“I hope you are hungry, Changmin-shi,” Sooae said, sat after Yunho pulled the seat for him.
Changmin wasn’t hungry. He didn’t think he could eat anything right now. Yunho sat between him and Sooae, but the position made Sooae’s gaze went straight to Changmin.
“I have ordered,” she said. “But not the wine. What’s your favorite, Changmin-shi?”
Changmin thought she was talking to Yunho. “Uh, I… don’t know about wine that well.”
“Ah, right. You barely reach the legal age.” Sooae said, handed the wine list to Yunho. “Red, Yunho.”
Changmin put his palm over his thigh and waited. For the time to pass.
When Yunho was done talking to the waiter, he looked at Changmin. “How was your entrance test?”
“It’s-“ he was going to say easy, but what if Mrs Jung thought that he was arrogant? The next word crossed his mind was ‘good’, but what kind of test was good, anyway? “It went well,” he nodded.
“When will the result come out?” Yunho asked again.
“Next week. We can check it online.”
“What about your backup, Changmin-shi?” Mrs Jung asked.
“Pardon?” Changmin turned his eyes to Yunho’s mother.
“What is your second choice?” she said. “What if you’re not accepted?”
Yunho gave his mother a look, and Mrs Jung raised her eyebrows at Yunho.
Changmin put his hand on Yunho’s arm. “Your mother’s right. Yes, Mrs Jung, it’s Korea University. Your son recommended it to me,” he said to Sooae.
Sooae hummed. “That is fortunate, then. What if Yunho didn’t tell you anything?”
Changmin didn’t know if that was something he should answer or not. Yunho breathed out slowly, a little disturbed by his mother’s words. Luckily the food came, placed in front of them. He waited until Mrs Jung started to eat, until he lifted his spoon.
“Yunho, tell him to use the right spoon,” Mrs Jung didn’t even look at Changmin.
Changmin wondered if there was something wrong with his spoon.
“This one, Changmin,” Yunho said, took a spoon on the right edge. “This one’s for soup,” he added with a smile.
“Thank you,” Changmin said. He wondered if Mrs Jung already predicted his mistakes.
“What major do you take, Changmin-shi?” Sooae asked.
“Graphic design, Mrs Jung,”
“What do you want to do in the future?”
Changmin put down his spoon slowly. “I… haven’t think about that.”
Sooae shot him a look. “Really?”
“There’s still a lot of time to figure that out,” Yunho answered for Changmin.
“Right, you’re still young. But it can’t always be an excuse.” Sooae said, put down her spoon.
Changmin just gulped his cream soup, as he didn’t know what else he could do. The waiter came and took their plates before serving the main dish.
“I heard about you from Soojung, Changmin-shi,” Sooae said.
“Yeah, we’re in the photography club together,” Changmin replied.
Sooae munched the steak slowly and wiped the corner of her lips with her napkin. “So you like photography?”
“Yes, Mrs Jung,” Changmin didn’t dare to eat as long as Sooae was conversing with him.
“Are you going to make a job out of it?”
“I’d like to, I’m looking forward for that opportunity.” Changmin said, wishing he sounded enthusiastic enough.
“That is a difficult field, photography. You have to be extremely good at it.” Sooae sipped her wine.
Changmin agreed with her, saying to himself that Mrs Jung was just stating the fact, not doubting him.
“He’s good. Didn’t you get paid from Mrs Oh for taking photos of the twins? And he’s also helping his friend for the wedding photos,” Yunho grinned proudly.
“Oh, your friend is getting married already?” Sooae asked interestedly. “What about you, Changmin-shi? Do you have any thought about that?”
Changmin quickly swallowed the food inside his mouth and luckily didn’t choke. “Well, Yunho-shi asked-“
“Yunho-shi?” Sooae cut, her eyebrows arched high. Her expression was unreadable. “I’m sorry, go on,”
Changmin’s heart beat twice faster as it was before. “Yunho-shi asked me about that, but I think I’m not ready yet,”
“Of course you’re not,” Sooae smiled again. “You’re only a high school student.”
“Yes, I am,” he replied daringly, thinking there was nothing wrong with that. “And I’ll graduate in a couple months, though.”
Yunho didn’t hide his grin, eating his steak rather happily. “I don’t think I’m ready either, anyway,” he looked at his mother.
Sooae didn’t show that she was surprised. “I remember you told us you’re going to marry your mate the day after you met him,”
“Yes, I know.” Yunho said calmly. “I’m going to marry him, it is planned. But we’re not in a hurry.” He looked at Changmin.
Changmin returned that gaze, and his sneaker nudged Yunho’s shoes under the table. Yunho grinned wider.
“To think of it, you are doing the right thing,” Sooae said. “You must have enough faith in your mate to get married,”
Changmin froze. Did it mean both Yunho and Changmin didn’t have enough faith in each other? What was she talking about? He heard Yunho was saying something, (or was he? Because Changmin wasn’t sure if his senses worked fine) and his throat felt dry. He took his glass of wine, but his hand somehow shook and the wine spilled to his sweater.
The moment he came back to reality was when Yunho dabbed on his chest, where the wine stained his clothes. Fortunately the spill wasn’t that evident on his maroon sweater.
“I think I need to use the bathroom,” Changmin said quietly, and excused himself.
Sooae didn’t say anything but her eyes followed Changmin quietly without turning her head. When she was sure the boy wasn’t around, she spoke up to her son. “He is not suitable for you,”
Yunho breathed out. He knew his mother was going to say something like this. “How is he not? He’s my destined soulmate.”
“I said the wrong word trying to make it sound nice.” Sooae gave Yunho a sharp look and corrected her words, “He’s not enough, Yunho.”
“He completes me.” Yunho stated.
“You complete him.” Sooae corrected him.
Yunho took a deep sigh.
“Are you sure it is him? Is this some kind of mistake-“
“The more time I spend with him, the more sure I am about our relationship. And yes, mother, he is my mate.” Yunho focused on Sooae. “And I really wish you to be nicer to him,”
“I’m never a nice woman, Yunho. Not to your father, not to you or your sisters. You know me. I’m just stating the truths, and tell me did I say anything wrong?”
Yunho hated how she was right, but also wrong at the same time. As a mother, Sooae wasn’t as affectionate, caring, or had the motherly aura like other mothers. But Yunho knew she loved her family and deep down, care a lot about them. “I will prove you wrong, then.”
“He’s the one who has to prove himself to me.” Sooae said, took another gulp of her wine. She caught Changmin’s reflection on the mirror. He was coming. “You can take the boy home, Yunho.”
Changmin got back and took his seat.
“I think I’m full,” Yunho said to Changmin. “Should I take you home?”
“Oh, but the dinner’s not finished yet,” Changmin said as the waiter put the dessert in front of them. “I know you don’t like sweet stuff, but it’s rude to leave your food uneaten.” He added with a smile.
Yunho brushed Changmin’s hair and thumbing the boy’s cheek, didn’t care if his mother was watching.
Changmin took Yunho’s hand from his head and directed it to his spoon. “Eat your food.”
“Good evening,” Mr Jung came after he was done with his business dinner. “Is it okay to join this late?”
“Mr Jung, nice to meet you,” Changmin quickly bowed and greeted him.
Mr Jung was a little taller than his wife, but still shorter than his son. He was probably in his 60s, but Changmin wasn’t sure. Probably he looked older because of all the busy work he had been doing to expand his business. Looking at his face features, Changmin could see that Soojung more looked like her father than her mother, while Yunho looked a lot like Mrs Jung.
“Oh, this must be Shim Changmin, right?” Yanghoon greeted Changmin back with a warm smile. “Please continue your meal, I’m sorry for disturbing.” He took a seat between his wife and Changmin.
Changmin didn’t see the husband and wife exchange a word, not even a kiss. But he saw Sooae pushed her dessert to Yanghoon.
“Still doesn’t like cakes?” Yanghoon said as he started to eat it.
Sooae just hummed as pulled out the handkerchief on his husband’s suit pocket and folded it neatly before returning it to its place.
“That’s why you’re not even sweet, dear,” Yanghoon remarked.
“Then can you explain why I’m so cold though I don’t like ice cream?” Sooae replied.
Yanghoon gave his wife a smile. “You’re the best.”
Changmin smiled to himself. Jung Sooae, though she wasn’t a friendly one, shared a lot of traits with Yunho. Yunho had her lips, and they also hated sweet food. And Changmin thought if Yunho had his cool, composed, and calm self from his father, he actually got it from his mother.
He remembered that one time when a staff yelled to Yunho, but the man remained calm although he had a storm in his heart. Or that one time when he saw Changmin with Siwon, the man did lose his composure, but he quickly gained it back.
A half of Yunho was Sooae. Thinking of that, Changmin knew, it actually wasn’t that hard to deal with this woman.
an: i have to do a research in an island (well, actually two) so i won't be able to update this story for about a month :(
so, see u guys in november! please be patient, i promise more are coming :D