Past, Present & Future, Chapter 3
Title: Past, Present & Future
Author: trieze0713
Pairing: Yunho/Jaejoong, Yoochun/Junsu
Length: Chaptered
Genres: AU, Drama, Angst, Romance
Rating: PG
(Prologue) (Chapter 1) (Chapter 2)
Chapter 3: The Mistery
He found it difficult to close his eyes and start sleeping. He kept grinning on his bed, remembering the little outing with his father and uncle. Appa looked a bit awkward while eating his lunch and Min-ahjussi acted like he owned the place. He chuckled. But he’s happiest when his father finally gave him permission to go to Japan for the field trip.
“Appa, please… I really want to go! I haven’t even been to Jeju Island before, and this is a good opportunity for me to learn about other country’s culture.” He whined.
“He’s right Hyung. Consider it as my birthday present. Come on, let him experience it, he’s a bright boy.”
Yunho kept looking at his son, he could see how bad he wanted it and he felt a rush of guilt once again, for not being able to give him a better life.
He gave up, “Fine, you may go, on one condition.” His son stared at him expectantly. “Your uncle can pay for it but you cannot take any pocket money from him. It has to come from me. Not a cent.” He emphasized the last words with a glare to his brother.
It’s hard not to cheer, and he didn’t care if they’re surrounded by strangers, he’s so happy that he jumped from his seat to give his father a hug and a kiss! His father almost choked on his meat!
Somehow after lunch they decided to drive around for a while and sat down by the park, enjoying the summer breeze. Playing a little game with his uncle with his father watching and laughing freely. He hoped there would be more moments like that, his father hardly went out with him after the accident.
Moonbin slept with a smile on his face. Dreaming of Japan with heart full of love towards his father and adoration for his uncle. He might be the luckiest boy on earth right now.
* * * * *
He got a call from an unknown number in his mobile, and the voice on the other line told him that he’d have a surprise waiting when he gets home. When he tried to ask what kind of surprise, the other person just laughed and said that it’s something that he’s been looking for and hung up. 5 seconds later his phone rang again, ‘I forgot to mention that it’s a surprise from the past.’ That’s all he heard before the line went dead.
He called home right away and indeed the maid told him that the mailman delivered a large envelope addressed to him. He tried to suppress his curiosity and finish his schedule as planned. But it got the better of him as he wrapped everything up and rushed home. By 4pm, he’s already inside and strode along the corridor, heading to his study where the maid put the envelope.
In the middle of hall he met his mother who was surprised to see him home so early.
“Something important, Jaejoong?” She always called him by his full name.
“Yes, Eomonim. I have an important package to retrieve.” He replied formally
“Oh, does that mean that you’re leaving again? Can’t you stay at least until dinner time?” She asked him softly.
Jaejoong’s face hardened at the request. “No I can’t. If you excuse me please, I have an important matter to take care of.” He nodded and left without waiting for anything that she wants to say.
If she thinks that she wants start over now that his father’s dead, then she should know that he has no intention to do the same at all. He’ll never forget the way she turned her back when he plead for help.
“Umma, help… tell Appa to stop hitting me!”
“Umma, please… I’m sorry, I promise that I’ll be a good boy but untie me and let me eat!”
“I’m tired Umma, I’m so tired! I need some sleep, I study enough and I’ve done my homework. Please…”
He cried so many tears, begging, pleading… sometimes she would approach him and caressed his cheeks as if she’s trying to ease the pain that he was feeling. But as soon as his father’s voice was heard she would quickly turned away, leaving him in his tears and misery without even saying anything. Not even ‘I love you’.
In the end, he only saw her as the woman who gave birth to him and his father’s wife. No more, no less. Even when he returned from his 1.5 years adventure with Yunho, the moment he got home she just stood there looking at him with an unreadable expression. No hug, no relief. He didn’t even think that she missed him. So yeah, she’s a mother in status only.
When he arrived in front of his study, he opened the door and locked it. If it’s what he thinks it is, he doesn’t want anybody to see him lose his composure.
He took the brown envelope in his hand and held it. He hasn’t even seen what’s in it but he started to tremble, everything from the past could only mean one thing, Jung Yunho. That’s the only part of his past hidden from the press and media.
He tore the side with shaking hands and there was a bunch of pictures revealed in front of him. The first picture that he saw was of a little convenience store by the street in a suburban area. He didn’t understand what it’s gotta do with him. But as soon as he read the name of the store, everything slipped from his hand and fell to the floor. His breath hitched as he tried to stifle a surprise scream with one hand covering his mouth. STAR MART.
“What will our life be in the next 10 years?” he asked the person standing beside him.
“I don’t know, but I hope we’re still together.” He replied as he took his hand in his and held it tight.
The silence made him feel romantic all of a sudden as he smiled and asked him, “The stars are beautiful… I feel like I want to reach out and take one home. Don’t you ever think that way, Yun?”
The other guy turned him around and looked at him with lovingly, “I don’t. Cause I have the brightest star by my side.” And he was kissed gently under the bright moonlight and twinkling stars, leaving a memory so sweet and unforgettable even after more than 10 years had passed.
'It couldn’t be…’ he thought.
He fell on his knees and picked up another picture.
A man was standing in front of the store with his head down. The light was dim so he couldn’t see his face or figure well, looks like the picture was taken around dusk.
A teenage boy in uniform, tall and good looking with a soft feature, pointy nose and beautiful smile.
A man smiling in a park bench, draping an arm around the same teenage boy who looked up at him with a grin, holding a cone of ice cream.
This time in a restaurant, there’s a younger man who was laughing while watching the teenager glomped the man and kissed him. The surprise on the man’s face was priceless.
Both man and boy were walking hand in hand in the park with a content face.
The man was standing with his back on the camera, holding the teenager in front of him, watching sunset before their eyes…
Sheet after sheet… they’re all having the same faces of a handsome man and a good looking teenager. The strong bond between them was so obvious with each gaze, smile, touch and kiss…
He didn’t know when and how but when he came to his senses, he was already sobbing on his knees, holding the pictures close to his heart and whispering a name that hadn’t come out of his mouth since long ago… ‘Yunho…’
* * * * *
Park Yoochun was having a romantic dinner with the love of his life. It was something that he had promised his man since last month, but working for Kim Jaejoong was no joke at all.
Since the big boss passed away, the man had been slaving away himself at work. And that also applied to his subordinates, especially him as the right hand man and the one entrusted with not only confidential projects but personal as well. Though they were going to the same high school, Yoochun was never having a close relationship with Jaejoong who was always together with Jung Yunho.
One day both of them stopped coming to school and rumors said that they were dating and running away from home since their parents didn’t agree with their relationship. But the next year when he was already a freshman in university, Jaejoong showed up again as a new kid in class. The lecturer said that he just returned from overseas but Yoochun guessed that it was only an excuse.
The Jaejoong he met in university was different. He didn’t smile much and absolutely hard to befriend with. But after working on a sophomore project together, they became close and he started to open up to him, revealing all the gloomy past and deepest secret in the Kim household. The rest was history, he wasn’t called as the boss’s soulmate for nothing. Not one single thing was hidden from him. And that includes Jaejoong’s obsession to find Jung Yunho and Moonbin, the ex lover and the baby that he left behind.
He’d been working overtime every day for the past month, leaving his partner waiting and asleep on the couch almost every night. He had submitted a week leave to his best friend and boss, after this dinner they’re planning for a night out at the club before flying to Maldives the next morning for a week of vacation.
So he can’t blame the nasty look that his lover gave him when his mobile started to ring and ‘Kim Jaejoong’ showed up on the screen. He reluctantly picked it up. Ignoring Jaejoong’s call will only cause more problems.
“… Hello.”
“Come to the office now. Cancel your trip tomorrow.”
“What! Jae, that’s impossible! I have submitted my leave since-“
“I found him. He kept the baby.”
“… oh… you- did?” he stole a glance at the man across of him. One glare sent his way, and the seat was suddenly empty.
“Junsu, wait- damn, Jae! I-“
“I’ll call him and explain personally. He won’t break up with you, trust me. You better be here in the next 15 minutes.” And he hung up.
He stared stupidly at his mobile before he started cursing. He knew that it’s useless to call his furious lover right now, he’d just have to trust Jaejoong to sort it out for him. As always.
* * * * *
After cleaning up his face and fixing his suit he went to his room and changed into something more casual then wasted no time to head to the office. He didn’t even bother to say bye to his mother who was watching him passed by in the living room. She wouldn’t care whether he’ll return home or not later, anyway.
Instead of having his driver he chose to drive himself back to the office, he needed to keep his mind away from the pictures that he just saw and focused on something else. Driving had always been the best distraction.
He felt suffocated in his own house and he never kept his personal things there where his parents could find. Instead, he created a secret safe under his secretary’s desk. Only if you look careful enough you’d realize that the drawer’s size was actually bigger from the outside than the actual measure when you open it. If anyone wants to find his secret they usually try to find it in his room but no one would bother to check on his secretary.
The pictures in his hand started to crumple. He kept staring at each of them, leaving fingerprints all over, touching each face, tracing his fingers over each feature, especially the grown up man that has changed so much since the day that he saw him last. They’re a little over 30 now, he’s still look good but he couldn’t see the sparkle in his eyes anymore. He started to have some grey hairs as well, and the lines on his face etched deeply as if he’d been through so much in the past 14 years. He felt his heart clenched at the sight of him.
His gaze moved to the teenager and still couldn’t get over the astonishment at seeing the once so tiny creature now turning into an amazing boy. What does he call Yunho? Yunho would want to be called Appa, he said it sounded lovely and he wanted to be called that way even when his kids all grown up. Abeonim was too formal and less of affection for him.
What did Yunho used to call him again? Ah, Moonbin… it’s strange that the boy looked so much like the younger version of Yunho even though they’re not related at all. Did he adopt him legally? Are they happy all this time? Did Yunho tell him about Jaejoong? Did the boy know about his past? Was he okay with it? Does he-
“Tell me that I won’t be locked outside the apartment when I get home later, that I’ll still get a night of hot sex despite the cancelation of our vacation otherwise I will walk out of here right now and I don’t care if you fire me tonight cause I won’t need to work my ass off for the money to please my lover anyway since I’ll be, well, loverless!”
Yoochun’s annoyed voice startled him. He was so deep in thoughts that he didn’t even hear him opening the door to his room.
“I promised him two weeks of uninterrupted vacation on my expense. You’ll get your hot sex tonight, I guarantee.”
“Wha-“
“BUT! Only after you’re done helping me. Meaning, after I find Yunho and the kid.”
Yoochun sighed, “And it’s useless for me to argue, isn’t it?”
Jaejoong just looked at him without blinking. And he surrendered to the pleading look in his eyes. “Fine. Tell me if it’s real this time and not just some trick to get money out of your obsession in finding them.”
Jaejoong handed him the pictures, “It’s really him, Chun. I know it’s him.”
He took everything and looked at them carefully. “It’s him alright… I still remember his face. And the teenager is supposed to be the baby that you guys took care of? Does this mean that he’s still staying with him?”
“Probably, I think so. I don’t care if he’s not, but we have to find him Chun, I just have to!”
“And what would you do when you finally do? Ask for forgiveness?” He knew he sounded skeptical, but that’s something that Jaejoong never told him.
“I… I don’t know. I’ll decide when I find him. I-“ He’s lost for words as he felt his eyes stung again.
Yoochun took a deep breath before carefully told him, “You don’t have to tell me now but I hope that you’ll trust me enough to let me know about how you really feel after all these years. Fair enough?”
His boss just nodded.
“How the hell did you get all these anyway? I thought the PI’s an idiot and after all the money that you paid him he only gave you an info that Shim Changmin went to some place regularly and disappeared.”
“That’s… something that I don’t understand.” He told him about the call and the delivery to his home earlier today.
“Well… whatever the reason that person sent you these, it’s obvious that he wanted you to find him. We’ll think about it later, but what do you want me to do for the time being? There’s no address at all, it’s not a chain store too. It would be hard to find out.”
“Find the kid. See that uniform? If you look closely you can see the emblem of the school in the uniform pocket. It should be easier to go from there… once we find out the school, we can find more info on him that will lead us to the store and- and to Yunho.” He spoke the last sentence in hesitation. “Find a Jung Moonbin in the registrar first, if that’s not the name then we’ll do the extreme. Follow him home.”
“Gotcha. Then I guess I better start now so I can get my 2 week vacation soon.” He proceeded to his own room to start working.
Jaejoong was left alone once again, sitting on his leather high chair… as he closed his eyes he whispered his vow in silence, ‘I’ll find you Yunho, I promise I’ll find you…’
* * * * *
He’d been having a nightmare for 3 nights in a row. In those dreams, everyone was leaving him in that old rundown apartment he shared with Jaejoong many years ago. That man mocked him as he pushed him on the floor and ripped a cheque in front of him, Moonbin threw his uniform jacket to his face and Changmin took away the prosthesis from him. He was left alone on the floor, armless and beaten up.
He woke up with a jolt and the pain on his chest again. He tried to keep his breathing regular like he always did but this time it won’t go away. And in a few seconds, darkness filled up his vision as he lost his consciousness.
He didn’t know how long was he out of it… could be a minute or longer… but slowly he felt like he’s back to his senses and he felt warm. He couldn’t move his good arm. When his eyes fluttered open he saw his brother sitting by his bedside and when he looked down, his son was sleeping on his right arm, trace of tears were visible on his smooth face.
Changmin quickly got up when he realized that he regained consciousness. “Hey Bro, how are you feeling?”
He tried to speak but his throat was dry. Changmin carefully disentangled Moonbin from him and sat him up on his bed before he went to fetch him a glass of water.
The warm water refreshed him. “What happened? How long was I out?”
“Moonbin was wondering why you didn’t come out of your room for dinner. He tried to wake you up but you didn’t move, he called me in hysterics, thought that you died and left him already. I called the nearest hospital on the way here. When the doctor and the ambulance arrived, he refused to let them take you away and kept holding you, crying endlessly. I only managed to make him let the doctor check up on you.”
He looked down at his son and caressed his face, “My poor baby, he must’ve been scared.”
“Hyung, this isn’t the first time that it happened, right?”
“…”
“Hyung, it might be related to a heart disease, that’s the only thing that the doctor could come up with. You’re lucky that you made it tonight, but next time-“
“Stop it Min. I’m fine. I’m just tired and lately I had trouble sleeping at night, I guess it’s taken its toll on me in the end.
“Hyung! You’re not doing anything physical and lack of asleep wouldn’t make you pass out for more than 4 hours! Your heart stopped for while! You almost die!”
“Min! Don’t shout and wake Binnie up. We’ll talk about it when later. You should go home, it’s past midnight already.”
“I’m sleeping over. I’ll take Moonbin’s bed since he won’t want to sleep away from you tonight.”
“Thanks. I’m sorry for the trouble, but I promise that we’ll talk tomorrow.”
Changmin could only sigh, he knew it’s useless to try to continue the argument with him.
“Fine, sleep well Hyung. And please… please, call me if you feel even a slight discomfort again. Promise me?”
“… Promise.”
They hugged and Changmin left his bedroom, closing the door behind him carefully.
Yunho laid back on the bed once again and pulled his son back into his arm. There’s no way that he would leave his boy alone. Never. He promised himself. He’s not Kim Jaejoong.
* * * * *
As he entered his nephew’s bedroom, and sat down on the bed, Changmin made a call. One ring and somebody picked up.
“Urgent. My brother passed out. He MUST find him soon.” He whispered through the phone.
“Understood.”
“Did you send the pictures to him as I instructed?”
“I did and he started to take action right away.”
He smirked. “Great. I owe you big time.”
The man on the other line snorted, “You do. Well, at least I got him to pay me a two week vacation with my darling once it’s all over. I’ll think about your payment later.”
“Thanks, Junsu. Let’s talk again tomorrow.”
“No sweat. You’ve done more for me. Sleep tight, pal.”
“I will.” They both hung up.
Changmin turned on his nephew’s laptop on his study table, his present for entering Junior High with the highest score. If he wants to have his brother back home, there’s no time to be sleeping, he should start working to perfecting his plan now.
* * * * *
Chapter 4
Author: trieze0713
Pairing: Yunho/Jaejoong, Yoochun/Junsu
Length: Chaptered
Genres: AU, Drama, Angst, Romance
Rating: PG
(Prologue) (Chapter 1) (Chapter 2)
Chapter 3: The Mistery
He found it difficult to close his eyes and start sleeping. He kept grinning on his bed, remembering the little outing with his father and uncle. Appa looked a bit awkward while eating his lunch and Min-ahjussi acted like he owned the place. He chuckled. But he’s happiest when his father finally gave him permission to go to Japan for the field trip.
“Appa, please… I really want to go! I haven’t even been to Jeju Island before, and this is a good opportunity for me to learn about other country’s culture.” He whined.
“He’s right Hyung. Consider it as my birthday present. Come on, let him experience it, he’s a bright boy.”
Yunho kept looking at his son, he could see how bad he wanted it and he felt a rush of guilt once again, for not being able to give him a better life.
He gave up, “Fine, you may go, on one condition.” His son stared at him expectantly. “Your uncle can pay for it but you cannot take any pocket money from him. It has to come from me. Not a cent.” He emphasized the last words with a glare to his brother.
It’s hard not to cheer, and he didn’t care if they’re surrounded by strangers, he’s so happy that he jumped from his seat to give his father a hug and a kiss! His father almost choked on his meat!
Somehow after lunch they decided to drive around for a while and sat down by the park, enjoying the summer breeze. Playing a little game with his uncle with his father watching and laughing freely. He hoped there would be more moments like that, his father hardly went out with him after the accident.
Moonbin slept with a smile on his face. Dreaming of Japan with heart full of love towards his father and adoration for his uncle. He might be the luckiest boy on earth right now.
* * * * *
He got a call from an unknown number in his mobile, and the voice on the other line told him that he’d have a surprise waiting when he gets home. When he tried to ask what kind of surprise, the other person just laughed and said that it’s something that he’s been looking for and hung up. 5 seconds later his phone rang again, ‘I forgot to mention that it’s a surprise from the past.’ That’s all he heard before the line went dead.
He called home right away and indeed the maid told him that the mailman delivered a large envelope addressed to him. He tried to suppress his curiosity and finish his schedule as planned. But it got the better of him as he wrapped everything up and rushed home. By 4pm, he’s already inside and strode along the corridor, heading to his study where the maid put the envelope.
In the middle of hall he met his mother who was surprised to see him home so early.
“Something important, Jaejoong?” She always called him by his full name.
“Yes, Eomonim. I have an important package to retrieve.” He replied formally
“Oh, does that mean that you’re leaving again? Can’t you stay at least until dinner time?” She asked him softly.
Jaejoong’s face hardened at the request. “No I can’t. If you excuse me please, I have an important matter to take care of.” He nodded and left without waiting for anything that she wants to say.
If she thinks that she wants start over now that his father’s dead, then she should know that he has no intention to do the same at all. He’ll never forget the way she turned her back when he plead for help.
“Umma, help… tell Appa to stop hitting me!”
“Umma, please… I’m sorry, I promise that I’ll be a good boy but untie me and let me eat!”
“I’m tired Umma, I’m so tired! I need some sleep, I study enough and I’ve done my homework. Please…”
He cried so many tears, begging, pleading… sometimes she would approach him and caressed his cheeks as if she’s trying to ease the pain that he was feeling. But as soon as his father’s voice was heard she would quickly turned away, leaving him in his tears and misery without even saying anything. Not even ‘I love you’.
In the end, he only saw her as the woman who gave birth to him and his father’s wife. No more, no less. Even when he returned from his 1.5 years adventure with Yunho, the moment he got home she just stood there looking at him with an unreadable expression. No hug, no relief. He didn’t even think that she missed him. So yeah, she’s a mother in status only.
When he arrived in front of his study, he opened the door and locked it. If it’s what he thinks it is, he doesn’t want anybody to see him lose his composure.
He took the brown envelope in his hand and held it. He hasn’t even seen what’s in it but he started to tremble, everything from the past could only mean one thing, Jung Yunho. That’s the only part of his past hidden from the press and media.
He tore the side with shaking hands and there was a bunch of pictures revealed in front of him. The first picture that he saw was of a little convenience store by the street in a suburban area. He didn’t understand what it’s gotta do with him. But as soon as he read the name of the store, everything slipped from his hand and fell to the floor. His breath hitched as he tried to stifle a surprise scream with one hand covering his mouth. STAR MART.
“What will our life be in the next 10 years?” he asked the person standing beside him.
“I don’t know, but I hope we’re still together.” He replied as he took his hand in his and held it tight.
The silence made him feel romantic all of a sudden as he smiled and asked him, “The stars are beautiful… I feel like I want to reach out and take one home. Don’t you ever think that way, Yun?”
The other guy turned him around and looked at him with lovingly, “I don’t. Cause I have the brightest star by my side.” And he was kissed gently under the bright moonlight and twinkling stars, leaving a memory so sweet and unforgettable even after more than 10 years had passed.
'It couldn’t be…’ he thought.
He fell on his knees and picked up another picture.
A man was standing in front of the store with his head down. The light was dim so he couldn’t see his face or figure well, looks like the picture was taken around dusk.
A teenage boy in uniform, tall and good looking with a soft feature, pointy nose and beautiful smile.
A man smiling in a park bench, draping an arm around the same teenage boy who looked up at him with a grin, holding a cone of ice cream.
This time in a restaurant, there’s a younger man who was laughing while watching the teenager glomped the man and kissed him. The surprise on the man’s face was priceless.
Both man and boy were walking hand in hand in the park with a content face.
The man was standing with his back on the camera, holding the teenager in front of him, watching sunset before their eyes…
Sheet after sheet… they’re all having the same faces of a handsome man and a good looking teenager. The strong bond between them was so obvious with each gaze, smile, touch and kiss…
He didn’t know when and how but when he came to his senses, he was already sobbing on his knees, holding the pictures close to his heart and whispering a name that hadn’t come out of his mouth since long ago… ‘Yunho…’
* * * * *
Park Yoochun was having a romantic dinner with the love of his life. It was something that he had promised his man since last month, but working for Kim Jaejoong was no joke at all.
Since the big boss passed away, the man had been slaving away himself at work. And that also applied to his subordinates, especially him as the right hand man and the one entrusted with not only confidential projects but personal as well. Though they were going to the same high school, Yoochun was never having a close relationship with Jaejoong who was always together with Jung Yunho.
One day both of them stopped coming to school and rumors said that they were dating and running away from home since their parents didn’t agree with their relationship. But the next year when he was already a freshman in university, Jaejoong showed up again as a new kid in class. The lecturer said that he just returned from overseas but Yoochun guessed that it was only an excuse.
The Jaejoong he met in university was different. He didn’t smile much and absolutely hard to befriend with. But after working on a sophomore project together, they became close and he started to open up to him, revealing all the gloomy past and deepest secret in the Kim household. The rest was history, he wasn’t called as the boss’s soulmate for nothing. Not one single thing was hidden from him. And that includes Jaejoong’s obsession to find Jung Yunho and Moonbin, the ex lover and the baby that he left behind.
He’d been working overtime every day for the past month, leaving his partner waiting and asleep on the couch almost every night. He had submitted a week leave to his best friend and boss, after this dinner they’re planning for a night out at the club before flying to Maldives the next morning for a week of vacation.
So he can’t blame the nasty look that his lover gave him when his mobile started to ring and ‘Kim Jaejoong’ showed up on the screen. He reluctantly picked it up. Ignoring Jaejoong’s call will only cause more problems.
“… Hello.”
“Come to the office now. Cancel your trip tomorrow.”
“What! Jae, that’s impossible! I have submitted my leave since-“
“I found him. He kept the baby.”
“… oh… you- did?” he stole a glance at the man across of him. One glare sent his way, and the seat was suddenly empty.
“Junsu, wait- damn, Jae! I-“
“I’ll call him and explain personally. He won’t break up with you, trust me. You better be here in the next 15 minutes.” And he hung up.
He stared stupidly at his mobile before he started cursing. He knew that it’s useless to call his furious lover right now, he’d just have to trust Jaejoong to sort it out for him. As always.
* * * * *
After cleaning up his face and fixing his suit he went to his room and changed into something more casual then wasted no time to head to the office. He didn’t even bother to say bye to his mother who was watching him passed by in the living room. She wouldn’t care whether he’ll return home or not later, anyway.
Instead of having his driver he chose to drive himself back to the office, he needed to keep his mind away from the pictures that he just saw and focused on something else. Driving had always been the best distraction.
He felt suffocated in his own house and he never kept his personal things there where his parents could find. Instead, he created a secret safe under his secretary’s desk. Only if you look careful enough you’d realize that the drawer’s size was actually bigger from the outside than the actual measure when you open it. If anyone wants to find his secret they usually try to find it in his room but no one would bother to check on his secretary.
The pictures in his hand started to crumple. He kept staring at each of them, leaving fingerprints all over, touching each face, tracing his fingers over each feature, especially the grown up man that has changed so much since the day that he saw him last. They’re a little over 30 now, he’s still look good but he couldn’t see the sparkle in his eyes anymore. He started to have some grey hairs as well, and the lines on his face etched deeply as if he’d been through so much in the past 14 years. He felt his heart clenched at the sight of him.
His gaze moved to the teenager and still couldn’t get over the astonishment at seeing the once so tiny creature now turning into an amazing boy. What does he call Yunho? Yunho would want to be called Appa, he said it sounded lovely and he wanted to be called that way even when his kids all grown up. Abeonim was too formal and less of affection for him.
What did Yunho used to call him again? Ah, Moonbin… it’s strange that the boy looked so much like the younger version of Yunho even though they’re not related at all. Did he adopt him legally? Are they happy all this time? Did Yunho tell him about Jaejoong? Did the boy know about his past? Was he okay with it? Does he-
“Tell me that I won’t be locked outside the apartment when I get home later, that I’ll still get a night of hot sex despite the cancelation of our vacation otherwise I will walk out of here right now and I don’t care if you fire me tonight cause I won’t need to work my ass off for the money to please my lover anyway since I’ll be, well, loverless!”
Yoochun’s annoyed voice startled him. He was so deep in thoughts that he didn’t even hear him opening the door to his room.
“I promised him two weeks of uninterrupted vacation on my expense. You’ll get your hot sex tonight, I guarantee.”
“Wha-“
“BUT! Only after you’re done helping me. Meaning, after I find Yunho and the kid.”
Yoochun sighed, “And it’s useless for me to argue, isn’t it?”
Jaejoong just looked at him without blinking. And he surrendered to the pleading look in his eyes. “Fine. Tell me if it’s real this time and not just some trick to get money out of your obsession in finding them.”
Jaejoong handed him the pictures, “It’s really him, Chun. I know it’s him.”
He took everything and looked at them carefully. “It’s him alright… I still remember his face. And the teenager is supposed to be the baby that you guys took care of? Does this mean that he’s still staying with him?”
“Probably, I think so. I don’t care if he’s not, but we have to find him Chun, I just have to!”
“And what would you do when you finally do? Ask for forgiveness?” He knew he sounded skeptical, but that’s something that Jaejoong never told him.
“I… I don’t know. I’ll decide when I find him. I-“ He’s lost for words as he felt his eyes stung again.
Yoochun took a deep breath before carefully told him, “You don’t have to tell me now but I hope that you’ll trust me enough to let me know about how you really feel after all these years. Fair enough?”
His boss just nodded.
“How the hell did you get all these anyway? I thought the PI’s an idiot and after all the money that you paid him he only gave you an info that Shim Changmin went to some place regularly and disappeared.”
“That’s… something that I don’t understand.” He told him about the call and the delivery to his home earlier today.
“Well… whatever the reason that person sent you these, it’s obvious that he wanted you to find him. We’ll think about it later, but what do you want me to do for the time being? There’s no address at all, it’s not a chain store too. It would be hard to find out.”
“Find the kid. See that uniform? If you look closely you can see the emblem of the school in the uniform pocket. It should be easier to go from there… once we find out the school, we can find more info on him that will lead us to the store and- and to Yunho.” He spoke the last sentence in hesitation. “Find a Jung Moonbin in the registrar first, if that’s not the name then we’ll do the extreme. Follow him home.”
“Gotcha. Then I guess I better start now so I can get my 2 week vacation soon.” He proceeded to his own room to start working.
Jaejoong was left alone once again, sitting on his leather high chair… as he closed his eyes he whispered his vow in silence, ‘I’ll find you Yunho, I promise I’ll find you…’
* * * * *
He’d been having a nightmare for 3 nights in a row. In those dreams, everyone was leaving him in that old rundown apartment he shared with Jaejoong many years ago. That man mocked him as he pushed him on the floor and ripped a cheque in front of him, Moonbin threw his uniform jacket to his face and Changmin took away the prosthesis from him. He was left alone on the floor, armless and beaten up.
He woke up with a jolt and the pain on his chest again. He tried to keep his breathing regular like he always did but this time it won’t go away. And in a few seconds, darkness filled up his vision as he lost his consciousness.
He didn’t know how long was he out of it… could be a minute or longer… but slowly he felt like he’s back to his senses and he felt warm. He couldn’t move his good arm. When his eyes fluttered open he saw his brother sitting by his bedside and when he looked down, his son was sleeping on his right arm, trace of tears were visible on his smooth face.
Changmin quickly got up when he realized that he regained consciousness. “Hey Bro, how are you feeling?”
He tried to speak but his throat was dry. Changmin carefully disentangled Moonbin from him and sat him up on his bed before he went to fetch him a glass of water.
The warm water refreshed him. “What happened? How long was I out?”
“Moonbin was wondering why you didn’t come out of your room for dinner. He tried to wake you up but you didn’t move, he called me in hysterics, thought that you died and left him already. I called the nearest hospital on the way here. When the doctor and the ambulance arrived, he refused to let them take you away and kept holding you, crying endlessly. I only managed to make him let the doctor check up on you.”
He looked down at his son and caressed his face, “My poor baby, he must’ve been scared.”
“Hyung, this isn’t the first time that it happened, right?”
“…”
“Hyung, it might be related to a heart disease, that’s the only thing that the doctor could come up with. You’re lucky that you made it tonight, but next time-“
“Stop it Min. I’m fine. I’m just tired and lately I had trouble sleeping at night, I guess it’s taken its toll on me in the end.
“Hyung! You’re not doing anything physical and lack of asleep wouldn’t make you pass out for more than 4 hours! Your heart stopped for while! You almost die!”
“Min! Don’t shout and wake Binnie up. We’ll talk about it when later. You should go home, it’s past midnight already.”
“I’m sleeping over. I’ll take Moonbin’s bed since he won’t want to sleep away from you tonight.”
“Thanks. I’m sorry for the trouble, but I promise that we’ll talk tomorrow.”
Changmin could only sigh, he knew it’s useless to try to continue the argument with him.
“Fine, sleep well Hyung. And please… please, call me if you feel even a slight discomfort again. Promise me?”
“… Promise.”
They hugged and Changmin left his bedroom, closing the door behind him carefully.
Yunho laid back on the bed once again and pulled his son back into his arm. There’s no way that he would leave his boy alone. Never. He promised himself. He’s not Kim Jaejoong.
* * * * *
As he entered his nephew’s bedroom, and sat down on the bed, Changmin made a call. One ring and somebody picked up.
“Urgent. My brother passed out. He MUST find him soon.” He whispered through the phone.
“Understood.”
“Did you send the pictures to him as I instructed?”
“I did and he started to take action right away.”
He smirked. “Great. I owe you big time.”
The man on the other line snorted, “You do. Well, at least I got him to pay me a two week vacation with my darling once it’s all over. I’ll think about your payment later.”
“Thanks, Junsu. Let’s talk again tomorrow.”
“No sweat. You’ve done more for me. Sleep tight, pal.”
“I will.” They both hung up.
Changmin turned on his nephew’s laptop on his study table, his present for entering Junior High with the highest score. If he wants to have his brother back home, there’s no time to be sleeping, he should start working to perfecting his plan now.
* * * * *
Chapter 4