Vertigo Chapter 16
The black suits only belonged to the grooms, so Changmin wore blue, and Yunho’s was grey. The wedding was held in a hotel ballroom, not a soccer filed like Junsu imagined. There were many guests came, not as intimate as Yoochun wanted.
Yoochun played the piano and sang for his groom. Changmin would think that was extremely cheesy if he forgot that the couple was so in love.
“Don’t you want to get married?” Yunho asked as the couple shared a kiss.
“I think you’re just carried away.” Changmin replied.
Yunho let out an empty smile. “Maybe.”
Changmin looked at Yunho. “Do you ever think that... it doesn't matter if we're married or not, because we belong to each other anyway. The marriage only makes it written on the paper.”
Yunho brushed Changmin's hair softly. “You're right. Who cares anyway? We already have each other, why bother?”
Changmin's leaned to Yunho's hand.
“I used to think like that too. That it doesn't matter much. But as I get older, I want it. I want to marry. The hustle bustle worth it.”
Seeing the stars in Junsu’s and Yoochun’s eyes was a delight for him, but seeing Yunho was something else. He swore Yunho shed a tear when he thought no one was looking, and the man couldn’t stop smiling. Changmin bet his lips would have cramps any time soon.
“Thank you for everything,” Yoochun hugged Yunho firmly, patting his back, while Changmin and Junsu were already swaying in each other’s embrace.
“What about honeymoon?” Changmin asked.
Junsu pinched his butt.
“Just mate already!” Changmin said through clenched teeth.
Yoochun chuckled. “Jeju for starter,” he winked and pulled Changmin to a hug too. “Thank you, Changmin.”
“I’m happy for you,” Changmin said.
“Yunho loves you.” Yoochun whispered.
Only Changmin could hear that. He froze momentarily.
“You need to know that,” Yoochun added, let go of the hug and put his hand on Changmin’s shoulder.
Changmin could only nod and smile. He wondered if he really knew, and if it was really true.
*
On Monday, Changmin asked Yunho for lunch together. The older said yes, and Changmin went to his office.
“Hello,” Changmin greeted Jaejoong. “Is Yunho-“
“He’s still in the meeting room. He told you to wait outside.” Jaejoong replied, glanced to the sofa where Yunho’s guests waited for him.
Changmin usually allowed, always allowed to get inside. Even without permission.
“Nobody’s in his room.” Jaejoong reassured him. “But probably he prepared a surprise for you.” He added with a wink. “Or maybe his mom is in there.”
Changmin almost flinched in shock at that thought. “Okay.” He nodded, and took a seat on the sofa. He leaned back and felt bored immediately. There were just business magazines on the table and newspapers. He eyed Jaejoong’s computer screen from behind. The secretary was arranging Mr Jung’s agenda.
“About last week,” Changmin started. “Did Yunho skip his meeting in Japan… for me?”
Jaejoong stopped typing, turned around in his seat to face Changmin. “Do you have to ask?”
Changmin gulped. “I wondered if the meeting was already done… or cancelled…”
“It did. Yunho cancelled it.” Jaejoong’s expression was unreadable. “For you.”
Changmin bit his lip, avoided Jaejoong’s stare.
“Mr Jung Yanghoon was not pleased, however. Because Yunho didn’t tell him the reason why. I think his father would understand, but Yunho didn’t say he wanted to see you. I wonder if he didn’t want his father blame you for that.” Jaejoong said. “But I’m glad he took a leap. It’s time for a robot like him did something out of his boring life.”
Changmin lifted his head slowly and saw Jaejoong gave him a smile.
The elevator dinged, and a man came out, stomping his way to Jaejoong.
Changmin thought he had seen this man before.
“Why didn’t you tell me about the meeting?” the man asked, veins on his temple visible as he glared to Jaejoong.
“That’s not my duty, Mr Kim. I’m not your secretary.” Jaejoong answered calmly.
Mr Kim scoffed. “The meeting should not be executed! Mr Jung Yanghoon should be present and so do I!”
Jaejoong took a deep breath, eyes met with the man’s. “The meeting has already begun, and Jung Yunho conducted it, as Mr Jung Yanghoon instructed.”
“How many times do I have to tell everybody, that little boy knows nothing about this company! That bratty incompetent useless thing… he should know his place!” Mr Kim hit Jaejoong’s table, the sound was loud in the silence.
Changmin remembered right then. It was the man who yelled at Yunho before they got in the elevator together.
“Mr Kim,” Changmin stood up. He couldn’t stand this anymore. “Jung Yunho knows exactly his place.”
Mr Kim just looked at him confusedly, though anger was still visible in his eyes. Jaejoong just watched him.
“Do you not know how often Mr Jung Yanghoon went overseas for business, who do you think run the company when he wasn't here? It's Yunho.” Changmin’s hands balled to a fist. He couldn’t accept how this idiot bastard talked like that to Yunho. His Yunho.
Changmin took a deep breath, ready for another attack. “He's doing the job by himself and you still saying that he's useless and incompetence? If he's that stupid, this company would already be ruined 5 years ago! He's doing extremely good at his job, and knowing the imbeciles he has to work and put up with, I said he's beyond outstanding!”
His voice rose, but he couldn’t help it. His head felt hot, he could feel blood rushed in his ears, his heart beat fast.
Steps could be heard, heels on marble floor.
“Mrs Jung, what a surprise to see you here!” Mr Kim quickly gave a bow to someone behind Changmin.
Jaejoong got up and gave her a bow.
Changmin wondered if he should die just then.
Sooae took another step and she was right beside Changmin, and the boy was the last who bowed to her. She wore simple black dress and black legging, her style was completed with pearl necklace. Her plaid grey coat covered her knees, and she covered her hands with black leather gloves.
“I didn’t expect it would be so crowded in here.” Sooae said, touching her hair slightly.
“Yes, Mrs Jung. It’s is unexpected to see an unknown boy with such a low attitude in here,” Mr Kim smirked, glanced to Changmin.
“This boy you just insulted, is my future son in law, Mr Kim.” Sooae said, eyes piercing through the man.
Changmin didn’t know how long he held his breath. But he was breathing again.
“And the man this boy spoke up for, is my son.” Sooae added. “I will talk about your position in this company with my husband, Kim Kangin-sshi.”
Kangin gasped. “B- but- Mrs Jung, I-“
“I want you to leave.” Sooae folded her arms.
Kangin didn’t dare to speak further. He took his leave.
Changmin was helpless. Did Mrs Jung stand up for him? “Mrs Jung, about earlier… I-“
“No need to explain, Changmin-sshi. I heard everything.” Sooae said. She continued to walk to Yunho’s room. Changmin didn’t dare to follow her, so he just let himself fell to the sofa.
Jaejoong might tell Changmin not to enter it, but he couldn’t say anything as Sooae got in.
The elevator dinged again, and Yunho came into view. “Jae, do you already have the reply from our rep in US? I told our client we will present it for the next meeting, and- Changmin! You’re already here?” he didn’t realize Changmin was there.
Changmin didn’t move, just looked at Yunho nervously.
“Why? What happened?” Yunho asked concernedly, sat next to him and held his hands.
“Your mother’s inside,” Changmin could only say that.
“Did she say something to you?”
Changmin shook his head. “No. I said something-“
“Yunho.” Sooae’s voice wasn’t loud but clear.
Yunho squeezed Changmin’s hands before left him for his mother.
Changmin couldn’t figure out their conversation, only faint mumblings from the opened door.
High heels on marble floor. Mrs Jung’s steps could be heard. “Jaejoong, please tell my husband I’m waiting for him in the restaurant for lunch.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” Jaejoong did that immediately.
“See you, Changmin,” Sooae looked at Changmin.
Changmin only bowed in reply, waited until Sooae disappeared behind the elevator, and sighed.
“It’s okay,” Jaejoong said after calling Yanghoon’s assistant. “She called you her future son in law,” he chuckled.
Changmin didn’t think it was funny, but Yunho heard that. “She called Changmin what?”
“You should’ve arrived earlier, Yunho,” Jaejoong said. “Darn, I should’ve recorded it. Do you think it’s all in the CCTV?”
Yunho’s brows furrowed. “What are you talking about?” he put his hands on his hips.
“I think Mrs Jung favors Changmin.” Jaejoong grinned. “I’ll be out for lunch, then. Enjoy your time.”
“What did your mother said to you?” Changmin asked.
“Shouldn’t I be the one asking that?” Yunho asked back.
Changmin shrugged. “Yes, but-“
His eyes caught something as he entered Yunho’s room. How could he not see it? The photo was about 2 meters, and was in the center of the room. Jung Yunho’s firm backside, with his arms extended on either side of his body, holding onto the railings in the balcony. His silhouette was god-like in the fading sunlight.
And written on the bottom;
Sarang
Taken by Shim Changmin
Changmin blinked. “You… you… how?” how did Yunho got this photo? He remembered clearly the one who got his photo in the auction wasn’t him. It was a woman, and Changmin wondered if she bought the photo because she liked Yunho.
“I can misuse my authority once in a while, right?” Yunho smiled seeing Changmin’s eyes went three times bigger. “I asked Siwon to track your photo, and luckily it wasn’t that hard for him.”
Changmin wanted to cry. It was so stupid but so perfect and the emotions were too overwhelming.
Yunho leaned closer, seeing the color of Changmin’s face turned redder in seconds as their eyes met. His breath on Changmin’s face made the younger flustered. He blew Changmin’s face.
Changmin looked at him in confusion.
“Because you blush so hard. I need to cool it.” Yunho brushed a strand of hair on Changmin’s forehead.
Changmin pushed Yunho, but the older didn’t budge and put his strong arms around the boy. Changmin shot Yunho a glare.
As their eyes met again, and Yunho fell again for those big innocent eyes, feeling like they were staring right through his soul. “Let’s get married.”
Changmin looked down. “Why… suddenly…”
“Because I think, you wanted to show this photo to confess your feeling for me. Am I wrong?”
Changmin didn’t reply, but fumbled with Yunho’s suit lapel. He sensed Yunho’s disappointment as he didn’t admit anything.
“Yunho loves you.” He remembered Yoochun said.
Yunho older slowly let go of his hold.
Changmin quickly pulled at Yunho’s suit, crashed their mouth together, kissing the older’s lips. He hummed approvingly as Yunho put his arms back around him, pulling him closer and kissing him deeper.
“You know it already. Why still ask?” he whispered to Yunho’s lips.
“So I can say it back to you.” Yunho replied.
Changmin’s lips formed to a smile as Yunho’s lips attached to his again.
*
There were too many guests and family came during the wedding, so Changmin and Yunho couldn’t stay long to chat with the newlywed. So, Yoochun and Junsu invited them for a dinner. It was a little celebration after the wedding, only for close friends. It was more like a thank-you dinner. Changmin met the Lee couple there. Hyori, who was in charge for the wedding catering, and Chunhee, who was making the souvenirs for the guests. They were thrilled to see Changmin, exclaimed how happy they were that Yunho found him.
Changmin sat side by side with Yunho, listening to the newlywed speech.
“People say that it’s okay, there’ll be mistakes and unplanned things happen. There’s no perfect wedding.” Junsu looked at Yoochun. “But I have Yoochun, and that’s perfect enough for me.”
Yunho said nothing either as his mate let a tear fell from his eyes.
But Yunho looked at him, deeply, and in love, just like Yoochun and Junsu, watching Changmin’s eyes got glassy again. “It’s okay.”
Changmin chuckled because Yunho’s words didn’t make sense at all.
“I love you. Just like how Yoochun loves Junsu. Like how Junsu loves Yoochun. And you don’t have to say it because I already know.” Yunho brushed his hair. “It’s okay. We will be like them, even better, I promise.”
Another tear fell. Changmin didn’t know why Yunho knew him that well. He put his head on Yunho’s shoulder, and the older caressed his neck and back. And he felt protected. Safe. Loved. “Yunho-sshi,” he called. Yunho’s scent was overwhelming.
Yunho hummed, kissed the top of Changmin’s head.
“Will you marry me?”
Yunho wondered if he heard wrong. Changmin’s voice was muffled to his chest, so he didn’t know if really heard the words right.
Changmin’s head popped up and smiled to him, brightly, eyes mismatched, just like a little boy, young and so beautiful. “Aren’t you gonna say yes?”
Yunho’s cheek might hurt from smiling too wide. “Yes!” and he laughed.
The voice was a little too loud and the people near them turned around to look.
“I’m sorry,” Yunho bowed a little. He caught Junsu and Yoochun’s stare.” It’s just… Changmin just proposed to me.”
Changmin laughed in embarrassment, sitting upright and looked down to his lap, wishing to disappear momentarily.
Junsu’s squeal could be heard, then a round of applause for them. Changmin just nodded and smiled bashfully. His hands held Yunho’s tight under the table.
*
“I haven’t told my mother, so… this Friday? Sooyeon and my mother are going back to Paris next week. Are your parents free?” Yunho asked, marinated the ribs evenly. They were cooking together for dinner in Yunho’s apartment. Their apartment, Yunho corrected him.
Changmin’s looked at him.
“I wanna tell them all at once.” He looked back to him.
Changmin gulped slowly. “Well… if you think that way…” he poured the kimchi he just sliced to the pot.
“I’m nervous too,” Yunho said, gave a peck on the younger’s cheek on his way to the oven.
“Should we wait, then?” Changmin asked, biting his lower lip. “Or not.” He read Yunho’s frown. “I- I just… don’t know. I mean, we’ll tell them we’re getting married. Then, what? What else?”
“Okay,” Yunho leaned to the counter after he put the ribs inside the oven. “Tell them the plan.”
“We don’t have any plan,” Changmin replied flatly.
“We’re making it now.” Yunho said. “Starts from when. Next month? During winter? Or spring?”
“Spring is lovely.”
Yunho grinned as he saw Changmin’s smile came back. “Spring it is.” He slid behind Changmin’s back, sprinkled some salt to the kimchi jjigae.
“Autumn is beautiful too. When the leaves are falling…” Changmin said, letting Yunho using his hand to stir the jjigae.
“Mm hmm,” Yunho nodded, leaned closer as his chest was in contact with Changmin’s back. “Food?”
“Can’t you cook?” Changmin laughed as Yunho was still using his hand to try the soup.
“I can’t cook on my own wedding, can’t I?” Yunho replied, held Changmin’s hand and directed it to turn off the stove.
Changmin turned around to face his mate, and they were closer than he thought. Yunho’s face was just inches away from his, and the older’s arms went around his hips. “Where, then?”
“Garden party it is.” Yunho’s nose bumped Changmin’s.
“What about Jung Corp?”
Yunho was taken aback. “You want to get married in my office?”
“The balcony. Where I first saw you.”
Yunho smiled softly to him. “I don’t know you’re this romantic, Changmin.”
Changmin smiled back, and closed the distance between them to kiss his lover.
The first time I saw you in your building… you already claimed me then.