Past, Present & Future, Chapter 12
~Previous Chapters~
Chapter 12: His Freedom and In Waiting
It’s only been 4 months since the death of Jung Sr. and so many things had happened in the life of one Jung Yunho.
Despite his father’s will that must be conducted according to the law, the hand-over from of the CEO position from Changmin to Lee Min Sook won’t be officially realized until tomorrow. The Firm had held a shareholders general meeting first as a start to start the changes. Then there’s also the shares transfer from the late owner to Min Sook and Yunho. Changmin had done a very good job as a CEO, so far none of the shareholders was complaining to see him longer in on his leather chair.
Surely there were so many negative comments on the plan in appointing Yunho as the future CEO’s assistant. Yet, the will must be fulfilled in any way. Besides, Changmin also hasn’t announced formally whether he would continue to be involved in running the firm with a new position, though many were hoping so.
Thus, in the middle of it all, Yunho decided to stay at his house against the request of Lee Min Sook that he should move back to Jung mansion as soon as possible. Yunho declined it politely, saying that until everything is done and finalized legally, he’s staying at his own place. He also had informed Min Sook about Moonbin and the old man said that they could talk about it when he moved back. Yunho hasn’t mentioned anything to Moonbin though. He promised that he would talk to him when things are more certain for him too.
Today’s another private meeting between the three people involved in the late Jung Sr.’s will. The company’s driver has come to pick him Yunho up at his place around 9.30am. And now he’s sitting in Min Sook’s room with Changmin and the said man himself.
No one seemed eager to start a conversation so Min Sook took the initiative as the eldest and the most senior in the firm.
“I guess we all know that tomorrow will be the handover from Changmin to myself, and also the appointment of Yunho as my assistant. I have to admit that this was not something that I expected from your father, but then again he had never done anything expected before… the reason that the firm could stand strong and remain in the top position in the country.
Yunho, I haven’t heard any comment from you regarding your father’s will. But seeing that you’ve been studying and also learning about the firm bit by bit, may I assume that you’re going to follow through with it?”
The said man knew that it was coming. And even though he wanted to reject everything unconsciously he had begun to feel like he should return to where he belong.
“To be honest, I’m still not sure if I’m doing the right thing, but… this company didn’t belong to my father only, it was also part of my mother, our family’s legacy. It’s going to be hard, especially with the high school equivalency exam but yeah, I’m willing to take the chance again. I owe my parents that much.”
“But you still have the right to decline, are you aware of it?”
“I am… and there are a lot of things that I need to sort out including about… well, I’m sure you know about my son, Moonbin, by now?”
“I do. We can always talk about it whenever you’re ready.” Min Sook told him calmly, “I’m relieved that you’re willing to return, Yunho… I really am.”
Everyone sat still, trying to comprehend the unsaid words in their brains.
Min Sook seemed to hesitate before he turned to Changmin, “And… Changmin,” Min had asked him to quit calling him ‘young master’ now that his father gone, he’s just Shim Changmin. “Though you’ve told me what you want to do after the handover, I still want to ask you once again, can’t you change your mind?”
“No, my mind’s made up.” There’s no trace of hesitation in his voice. But Yunho was a bit startled because Min Sook hadn’t told him that Changmin already made any decision.
“Yunho needs you… we need you…”
“Hold it right there!” Yunho put up his hands to stop the ongoing conversation between Min Sook and his brother. “I believe that no one had told me that you decided on anything Min.” He looked at his little brother. “As far as I remember, you even told me that you haven’t thought of anything when I asked you a couple of weeks ago and now it sounds to me that I won’t be seeing you around? What happened?”
Changmin smiled softly at him, “Anything can happen in that couple of weeks, Hyung.”
“And you’re planning not to tell me? Cause I’m very sure that you didn’t mention anything when I was here, or even when you dropped by the house.”
“I guess it just slipped my mind.” He replied casually.
Yunho seemed ready to argue but changed his mind. He turned to Min Sook instead and asked him. “Ahjussi, what had he decided?”
Min Sook did raise his head to meet his gaze, he just took long sigh before he told him, “Changmin’s leaving the company after the handover… He’s leaving the mansion too.”
Yunho gapped at the revelation and though he wanted to try something, nothing came out of his mouth. He just stared at his brother who sat still and looking at him calmly.
“Min…”
“I kept telling you that I won’t be here forever and it was clear that I was just a substitute in the household, so why are you surprise?”
“Min,” He finally could speak after gulping down invisible air, “What- have you- I mean… I can’t do this myself! You’ve done a very good job for the past five years! I’m not even a High School graduate! I-“
“Not yet…”
“That’s not the point! But you can’t just leave!”
“Why can’t I? You’re here now, that’s all that matters to Appa. And the will’s crystal clear, I came, I did my job well, and I had my compensation. I’ve seen the land and the house, they’re not bad actually.” He looked at Min Sook, “I guess that’s all that you want to ask me?”
Min Sook nodded slowly.
“Great, then excuse me. I have to make sure that I don’t miss anything for tomorrow.”
“Min…”
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the handover, Brother. Ahjussi, thank you for your help, I’m happy that you finally got what you deserved.” With that, he turned on his heels and left, leaving his brother who’s still in shock and Min Sook who watched him walked away with a sad gaze.
Yunho felt like chasing after him but the older man in the room was giving him a look to stay. So he did.
“What do you know that I don’t?” He asked him with great curiosity, “He always told me that he was staying and accepting the position for a promise. But he never told me what kind of promise and to whom.” He slumped on his seat dejectedly, “Ahjussi… I’ve been a very bad brother to him, sometimes I felt like I left him in misery for my own happiness. Since the day that I contacted him again after I left, he had always been my strength, the one who was always be there for me. But I don’t even know what kind of life that he was living all along. Tell me the truth… why did Appa leave such a will and gave me the impression that my brother never really meant anything for him?”
“I don’t know what’s in your father’s mind,” Min Sook replied, “But I can assure you that he loved him.”
“By ignoring him? I know for certain that he never spoke to him decently! I-… “ He took a deep breath, “There’s still so many things that I don’t know about my little brother, especially at the time when I was- well, when I wasn’t here. Tell me Ahjussi, I’m sure you know him better than I do… “
Min Sook seemed to be considering something before he started to speak to him again.
“The first year you were away, whenever I came to the mansion to see you father he was always sitting quietly by the window with a book in his hand. He would nod at me then continued reading his book without saying a thing. When I came out at dinner time, he would be eating by himself at the dining table. Though there was always a maid ready, he never left the dirty dishes on the table, he would clean it up by himself.
“When he was in his second year in Junior High, his teacher called home to request a meeting with your father but I was sent in his place. That’s when I was told that he’s way smarter than his friends, and he skipped a year. Eventually, not even a year later he demanded to take the junior high final exam and he passed. At that time, if my memory was correct, it was his birthday when your father called him into the office and asked him what he wanted as a present. He said he wanted nothing and your father didn’t push.
“I believe it was when he was in his second year of High School that you started to get in touch with him again, wasn’t it? That was the first time I saw him so alive… He told me about you when I dropped by and your father overheard. He demanded to find out where you were, but Changmin refused to tell him. In the end he found out and sent someone to watch over you.”
Yunho was shocked, “So he knew about me? And… Moonbin? About my accident?”
“He knew everything. But he wanted to let you live according to your will, until you had that accident. You know that Changmin was already in University though he was only 18, right? Your father wanted to butt into your life and made you return to this place but your brother was against it. He knew that you wouldn’t want to and he considered about Moonbin’s status cause though your father was keeping a watch on you, he never asked or cared enough about your son. For all his care, you’re living on your own. And that’s when he made an agreement with your Father.”
“Agreement?”
“Since he was in Junior High, your father gave him a monthly allowance through a bank account under his name, I could say that the amount was much more than a Junior High kid could expect. He never used it though so he had quite a lot of savings. But it wasn’t enough for your prosthesis. Your father wanted to provide the money but he told him to stay out of your life, and made a promise with him instead. He was only 16 by the way and just graduated from High School but the way he acted was way too mature even in my eyes. And his stubbornness was probably on par with your father.
“He agreed to start working for the firm as soon as your father gave him his year worth of allowance. And he would do anything he said until the day you return. But only if you return on your own will, without your father’s involvement. He was even willing to marry anyone that your father would choose for him… as long as he stayed away from your life. You knew how much a prosthesis cost, didn’t you?” Yunho nodded. “Your father gave him the whole amount with an additional condition, to be the heir in your place and followed every single plan that he had arranged for him, he had no power to make a decision on his own, other than anything that’s related to you as the price.”
If Yunho ever thought that he was unfortunate, he wanted to weep for his brother at this moment. Was there a greater sacrifice that one could give to him than the freedom that he’d been living for the past 15 years? He might lost an arm, but his brother lost his freedom for most of his life. For each treasured moment he had spent and cherished with his son, his brother was living each day for his sake.
“And… why did Appa let him use his mother’s family name?” That’s one thing that he was always want to find the truth. Changmin merely told him that his father didn’t have a choice since he wanted him to take over the company as the crown prince. And to hurt his pride.
Min Sook looked troubled in answering this one. So Yunho asked him once again, “Why? This isn’t something that Appa would take lightly… replacing me was one thing but using a different surname while being the heir was a slap in the face for him. Why did he let him?”
Min Sook inhaled as much air as he could take before he spoke. “Because he’s actually not a Jung.”
This was one of the times that Yunho was glad he had the angioplasty otherwise all the surprises would’ve killed him hours ago.
The older man looked at a dot on the table while his mind was travelling back in time.
“Your father hadn’t seen Changmin’s mother for more than a year when the news about his birth reached him. The moment your mother found out about his cheating and confronted your father, he father regretted about it and promised not to see her again. But then that woman wanted to try to blackmail him and sent your mother pictures of the newborn baby, and when your mother didn’t react and took your father’s words she became desperate and came to the mansion to meet her.
“After a short discussion she finally admitted that it’s not your father’s son and left. But your mother felt pity to the baby. You should know that she wanted to have another child but never succeed to conceive one after you, so she asked your father to help them should they needed one. Your mother passed away not long after that and your father forgot about the woman until the news of her death reached him. One of her neighbor heard about your father once from her and searched for his number.
“He didn’t intend to respond to the call but…” he sighed, “I kind of reminded him of his promise to your mother that should the woman asked for a help regarding the boy, your father should do it. I- At that time I thought it was a good idea to have another child in the house especially since you started to distance yourself from him since your mother’s death. And god knows who was Changmin’s real father cause apparently his mother slept around after your father left her and no one would claim the boy. I never thought that one thing would lead to another and in the end this is how it came to be.”
Silence once again filled the room; each man was lost in their own thoughts of the drama that’s just been revealed after many years of misunderstanding and miscommunication. There’s no one to blame, they’re responsible to every decision that they have made. His father was six feet under now, and his mother probably had many more secrets that she brought to her grave. The most important think now was how they want their future to be. The past can’t be changed but they’re still able to shape the future and mend what’s broken.
“Min Sook-ahjussi… Did- did Changmin know about… the truth about him and his mother?”
“No. Only your parents and I. And now yourself.” Min Sook then raised his gaze to him and spoke, “Yunho, there’s no one to blame but destiny. I’m not asking you to be easily acceptable of the facts but-“ his eyes glazed with grief, “I was the only one that Changmin could ever talk to when after you left, I cared about him… that boy had so many scars on his heart since he was young but I hope that you won’t turn him away.”
Yunho looked at the old man in front of him, “Nothing will ever change how I felt about him. For all I know, he’s my only brother and the one who had done a lot more for me than he should have. Not just for me, but he has saved the family. Nothing and no one would change that, not even my dead father.” He told him firmly.
There’s a look of relief in Min Sook’s face as he slumped on his seat, and for the first time in Yunho’s time since he knew the old man, he saw a tear fell from the corner of his eye. Yunho was glad that somebody really cared about Changmin and he believed that that man had done his best for him in his stead.
And it’s time for him to give his brother the freedom that was taken from him for so many years.
* * * * *
Changmin has turned off his mobile since he walked out of Min Sook’s office. His mind’s made up and he knew his resolution would crumble once he heard his brother’s pleading voice. He’s back home now, ready to say goodbye to his old life. No one needs to know that he won’t be sleeping here tonight.
He didn’t pack a single thing from his wardrobe, he won’t need so many suits anyway in his new life. He didn’t intend to say goodbye too, no one would miss him. He contemplated whether to make a call or not. When he finally dialed the number from his bedroom’s phone for the last time, he chuckled to hear the voice on the other line.
“Am I interrupting something?”
“Damn you, Shim Changmin! I thought that I’ll come and look for you if I don’t hear from you in another hour!”
“Aw, Junsu, I never thought that you miss me! How’s the vacation with the greasy boyfriend, managed to get pregnant yet?” He joked with his bestfriend, though he knew the man wasn’t amused at all.
“F*CK YOU!”
“Ah, that word already, he didn’t give you what you wanted?”
“If you don’t shut your mouth and tell me where you are right now I swear I’ll try my best to make the rest of your life miserable…”
Changmin didn’t reply.
“Min, come on… let’s meet. You haven’t called me and let me know how’s things going. You owe me that much, idiot. Tell me where you are.”
“I’ll see you at the usual place. In another 2 hours. I still have something else to finish.” He finally told him.
Junsu sighed. “Fine. I’ll see you soon. And Min…”
“Yeah…”
“… Nothing. See you.”
They both hung up. No more words were needed to be spoken. He picked up the handle once again and punch some numbers. The phone was picked up after one ring.
“This will be my last favor for you. I’ll see you at your office in the next 30 minutes.”
“I can’t, I won’t be able to move my meetin-“
“And that would be your problem, not mine, Jaejoong-ssi.”
“…”
“Is that a yes? Good. See you.”
Just one more night… and Shim Changmin will be an ordinary man.
* * * * *
Moonbin was losing sleep. Yet another night with no sign of his father to be home soon. He tried so hard not to worry him, not to call him… he wanted to show that he would patiently wait for his father to explain everything to him.
He finally had his Japan trip with the school 2 months ago. Considering what he went through to be able to go, he didn’t enjoy one bit of the trip. Not when he couldn’t stop thinking about home… about his father, his uncle and Kim Jaejoong-ssi. He felt like crying over the anxiety. His friends didn’t even speak to him, perhaps afraid of the gloomy aura that he radiated.
He read the paper. Nothing hurt him more than to find out about his father’s family secret from the media revealed day after day. And yet his father still told him to wait, he promised to tell him everything up to the tiny bit. But time was not exactly a good friend when you’re waiting in uncertainty. It’s like darkness that consumed you bit by bit… drowned you in fear of something that have you no answer of.
What’s worse was that he’s supposed to start his new term in the new school, but someone that his father called Min Sook-ahjussi advised him to stay home for the time being. Yoochun-ssi already acknowledged it and told him not to worry, he would take care of the school’s admission and everything else. He spent his time tending the store with Jihye-noona and study on his own. He called his uncle a few times, he always answered but he didn’t have the heart to ask him more than: “Is Appa fine? Please tell him to have enough rest. Are you fine, Min-ahjussi? Good… I love you.”
Jihye-noona did everything to cheer him up… but he caught her sad gaze once in awhile when she thought he didn’t pay attention and doing something else. He totally appreciated every comforting hug that she gave, the reassuring squeezed on his shoulder when he stood by the door wishing to see his father’s shadow nearing under the disappearing sun… the ‘stamina food’ that she cooked just for him… He loved her too, but she’s not his father.
Kim Jaejoong-ssi called him earlier and asked him to come to his office the next day. Moonbin told him that he couldn’t go to town without his father’s consent but he was told that someone will pick him up and return him back later. Somehow he felt that this is something that his father shouldn’t know. But he couldn’t leave the store without telling Jihye-noona where he’s going.
One more thing that he hates about the waiting… he would have to lie again to his noona and his father. He did get the chance to ask some questions to Jaejoong-ssi… though at first he seemed reluctant to answer he finally promised him to tell him what he knows as long as he come and tell no soul about their meeting. He had decided inside his heart that even if he had to tell a lie, he must find out the truth that surrounds him. For the sake of his future.
* * * * *
Chapter 13
Sorry for not being able to update in almost a month T___T Trouble at work… so many changes and new policy that I’m just so drained once working hours was over. And with LJ kept crashing it’s so discouraging to even come to LJ… *sigh*
I’ll be leaving for a 2 week holiday in San Francisco & Anaheim on the 17th, hopefully another chapter can be posted before leaving and I’m bringing my laptop along just in case inspiration struck in the middle of my trip LOL *as if* Anyway, just so you know that this chapter is the last current time in the fic… we’ll be time skipping in the next chapter, yeeha!! Comments inspire me… thank you!
Chapter 12: His Freedom and In Waiting
It’s only been 4 months since the death of Jung Sr. and so many things had happened in the life of one Jung Yunho.
Despite his father’s will that must be conducted according to the law, the hand-over from of the CEO position from Changmin to Lee Min Sook won’t be officially realized until tomorrow. The Firm had held a shareholders general meeting first as a start to start the changes. Then there’s also the shares transfer from the late owner to Min Sook and Yunho. Changmin had done a very good job as a CEO, so far none of the shareholders was complaining to see him longer in on his leather chair.
Surely there were so many negative comments on the plan in appointing Yunho as the future CEO’s assistant. Yet, the will must be fulfilled in any way. Besides, Changmin also hasn’t announced formally whether he would continue to be involved in running the firm with a new position, though many were hoping so.
Thus, in the middle of it all, Yunho decided to stay at his house against the request of Lee Min Sook that he should move back to Jung mansion as soon as possible. Yunho declined it politely, saying that until everything is done and finalized legally, he’s staying at his own place. He also had informed Min Sook about Moonbin and the old man said that they could talk about it when he moved back. Yunho hasn’t mentioned anything to Moonbin though. He promised that he would talk to him when things are more certain for him too.
Today’s another private meeting between the three people involved in the late Jung Sr.’s will. The company’s driver has come to pick him Yunho up at his place around 9.30am. And now he’s sitting in Min Sook’s room with Changmin and the said man himself.
No one seemed eager to start a conversation so Min Sook took the initiative as the eldest and the most senior in the firm.
“I guess we all know that tomorrow will be the handover from Changmin to myself, and also the appointment of Yunho as my assistant. I have to admit that this was not something that I expected from your father, but then again he had never done anything expected before… the reason that the firm could stand strong and remain in the top position in the country.
Yunho, I haven’t heard any comment from you regarding your father’s will. But seeing that you’ve been studying and also learning about the firm bit by bit, may I assume that you’re going to follow through with it?”
The said man knew that it was coming. And even though he wanted to reject everything unconsciously he had begun to feel like he should return to where he belong.
“To be honest, I’m still not sure if I’m doing the right thing, but… this company didn’t belong to my father only, it was also part of my mother, our family’s legacy. It’s going to be hard, especially with the high school equivalency exam but yeah, I’m willing to take the chance again. I owe my parents that much.”
“But you still have the right to decline, are you aware of it?”
“I am… and there are a lot of things that I need to sort out including about… well, I’m sure you know about my son, Moonbin, by now?”
“I do. We can always talk about it whenever you’re ready.” Min Sook told him calmly, “I’m relieved that you’re willing to return, Yunho… I really am.”
Everyone sat still, trying to comprehend the unsaid words in their brains.
Min Sook seemed to hesitate before he turned to Changmin, “And… Changmin,” Min had asked him to quit calling him ‘young master’ now that his father gone, he’s just Shim Changmin. “Though you’ve told me what you want to do after the handover, I still want to ask you once again, can’t you change your mind?”
“No, my mind’s made up.” There’s no trace of hesitation in his voice. But Yunho was a bit startled because Min Sook hadn’t told him that Changmin already made any decision.
“Yunho needs you… we need you…”
“Hold it right there!” Yunho put up his hands to stop the ongoing conversation between Min Sook and his brother. “I believe that no one had told me that you decided on anything Min.” He looked at his little brother. “As far as I remember, you even told me that you haven’t thought of anything when I asked you a couple of weeks ago and now it sounds to me that I won’t be seeing you around? What happened?”
Changmin smiled softly at him, “Anything can happen in that couple of weeks, Hyung.”
“And you’re planning not to tell me? Cause I’m very sure that you didn’t mention anything when I was here, or even when you dropped by the house.”
“I guess it just slipped my mind.” He replied casually.
Yunho seemed ready to argue but changed his mind. He turned to Min Sook instead and asked him. “Ahjussi, what had he decided?”
Min Sook did raise his head to meet his gaze, he just took long sigh before he told him, “Changmin’s leaving the company after the handover… He’s leaving the mansion too.”
Yunho gapped at the revelation and though he wanted to try something, nothing came out of his mouth. He just stared at his brother who sat still and looking at him calmly.
“Min…”
“I kept telling you that I won’t be here forever and it was clear that I was just a substitute in the household, so why are you surprise?”
“Min,” He finally could speak after gulping down invisible air, “What- have you- I mean… I can’t do this myself! You’ve done a very good job for the past five years! I’m not even a High School graduate! I-“
“Not yet…”
“That’s not the point! But you can’t just leave!”
“Why can’t I? You’re here now, that’s all that matters to Appa. And the will’s crystal clear, I came, I did my job well, and I had my compensation. I’ve seen the land and the house, they’re not bad actually.” He looked at Min Sook, “I guess that’s all that you want to ask me?”
Min Sook nodded slowly.
“Great, then excuse me. I have to make sure that I don’t miss anything for tomorrow.”
“Min…”
“I’ll see you tomorrow at the handover, Brother. Ahjussi, thank you for your help, I’m happy that you finally got what you deserved.” With that, he turned on his heels and left, leaving his brother who’s still in shock and Min Sook who watched him walked away with a sad gaze.
Yunho felt like chasing after him but the older man in the room was giving him a look to stay. So he did.
“What do you know that I don’t?” He asked him with great curiosity, “He always told me that he was staying and accepting the position for a promise. But he never told me what kind of promise and to whom.” He slumped on his seat dejectedly, “Ahjussi… I’ve been a very bad brother to him, sometimes I felt like I left him in misery for my own happiness. Since the day that I contacted him again after I left, he had always been my strength, the one who was always be there for me. But I don’t even know what kind of life that he was living all along. Tell me the truth… why did Appa leave such a will and gave me the impression that my brother never really meant anything for him?”
“I don’t know what’s in your father’s mind,” Min Sook replied, “But I can assure you that he loved him.”
“By ignoring him? I know for certain that he never spoke to him decently! I-… “ He took a deep breath, “There’s still so many things that I don’t know about my little brother, especially at the time when I was- well, when I wasn’t here. Tell me Ahjussi, I’m sure you know him better than I do… “
Min Sook seemed to be considering something before he started to speak to him again.
“The first year you were away, whenever I came to the mansion to see you father he was always sitting quietly by the window with a book in his hand. He would nod at me then continued reading his book without saying a thing. When I came out at dinner time, he would be eating by himself at the dining table. Though there was always a maid ready, he never left the dirty dishes on the table, he would clean it up by himself.
“When he was in his second year in Junior High, his teacher called home to request a meeting with your father but I was sent in his place. That’s when I was told that he’s way smarter than his friends, and he skipped a year. Eventually, not even a year later he demanded to take the junior high final exam and he passed. At that time, if my memory was correct, it was his birthday when your father called him into the office and asked him what he wanted as a present. He said he wanted nothing and your father didn’t push.
“I believe it was when he was in his second year of High School that you started to get in touch with him again, wasn’t it? That was the first time I saw him so alive… He told me about you when I dropped by and your father overheard. He demanded to find out where you were, but Changmin refused to tell him. In the end he found out and sent someone to watch over you.”
Yunho was shocked, “So he knew about me? And… Moonbin? About my accident?”
“He knew everything. But he wanted to let you live according to your will, until you had that accident. You know that Changmin was already in University though he was only 18, right? Your father wanted to butt into your life and made you return to this place but your brother was against it. He knew that you wouldn’t want to and he considered about Moonbin’s status cause though your father was keeping a watch on you, he never asked or cared enough about your son. For all his care, you’re living on your own. And that’s when he made an agreement with your Father.”
“Agreement?”
“Since he was in Junior High, your father gave him a monthly allowance through a bank account under his name, I could say that the amount was much more than a Junior High kid could expect. He never used it though so he had quite a lot of savings. But it wasn’t enough for your prosthesis. Your father wanted to provide the money but he told him to stay out of your life, and made a promise with him instead. He was only 16 by the way and just graduated from High School but the way he acted was way too mature even in my eyes. And his stubbornness was probably on par with your father.
“He agreed to start working for the firm as soon as your father gave him his year worth of allowance. And he would do anything he said until the day you return. But only if you return on your own will, without your father’s involvement. He was even willing to marry anyone that your father would choose for him… as long as he stayed away from your life. You knew how much a prosthesis cost, didn’t you?” Yunho nodded. “Your father gave him the whole amount with an additional condition, to be the heir in your place and followed every single plan that he had arranged for him, he had no power to make a decision on his own, other than anything that’s related to you as the price.”
If Yunho ever thought that he was unfortunate, he wanted to weep for his brother at this moment. Was there a greater sacrifice that one could give to him than the freedom that he’d been living for the past 15 years? He might lost an arm, but his brother lost his freedom for most of his life. For each treasured moment he had spent and cherished with his son, his brother was living each day for his sake.
“And… why did Appa let him use his mother’s family name?” That’s one thing that he was always want to find the truth. Changmin merely told him that his father didn’t have a choice since he wanted him to take over the company as the crown prince. And to hurt his pride.
Min Sook looked troubled in answering this one. So Yunho asked him once again, “Why? This isn’t something that Appa would take lightly… replacing me was one thing but using a different surname while being the heir was a slap in the face for him. Why did he let him?”
Min Sook inhaled as much air as he could take before he spoke. “Because he’s actually not a Jung.”
This was one of the times that Yunho was glad he had the angioplasty otherwise all the surprises would’ve killed him hours ago.
The older man looked at a dot on the table while his mind was travelling back in time.
“Your father hadn’t seen Changmin’s mother for more than a year when the news about his birth reached him. The moment your mother found out about his cheating and confronted your father, he father regretted about it and promised not to see her again. But then that woman wanted to try to blackmail him and sent your mother pictures of the newborn baby, and when your mother didn’t react and took your father’s words she became desperate and came to the mansion to meet her.
“After a short discussion she finally admitted that it’s not your father’s son and left. But your mother felt pity to the baby. You should know that she wanted to have another child but never succeed to conceive one after you, so she asked your father to help them should they needed one. Your mother passed away not long after that and your father forgot about the woman until the news of her death reached him. One of her neighbor heard about your father once from her and searched for his number.
“He didn’t intend to respond to the call but…” he sighed, “I kind of reminded him of his promise to your mother that should the woman asked for a help regarding the boy, your father should do it. I- At that time I thought it was a good idea to have another child in the house especially since you started to distance yourself from him since your mother’s death. And god knows who was Changmin’s real father cause apparently his mother slept around after your father left her and no one would claim the boy. I never thought that one thing would lead to another and in the end this is how it came to be.”
Silence once again filled the room; each man was lost in their own thoughts of the drama that’s just been revealed after many years of misunderstanding and miscommunication. There’s no one to blame, they’re responsible to every decision that they have made. His father was six feet under now, and his mother probably had many more secrets that she brought to her grave. The most important think now was how they want their future to be. The past can’t be changed but they’re still able to shape the future and mend what’s broken.
“Min Sook-ahjussi… Did- did Changmin know about… the truth about him and his mother?”
“No. Only your parents and I. And now yourself.” Min Sook then raised his gaze to him and spoke, “Yunho, there’s no one to blame but destiny. I’m not asking you to be easily acceptable of the facts but-“ his eyes glazed with grief, “I was the only one that Changmin could ever talk to when after you left, I cared about him… that boy had so many scars on his heart since he was young but I hope that you won’t turn him away.”
Yunho looked at the old man in front of him, “Nothing will ever change how I felt about him. For all I know, he’s my only brother and the one who had done a lot more for me than he should have. Not just for me, but he has saved the family. Nothing and no one would change that, not even my dead father.” He told him firmly.
There’s a look of relief in Min Sook’s face as he slumped on his seat, and for the first time in Yunho’s time since he knew the old man, he saw a tear fell from the corner of his eye. Yunho was glad that somebody really cared about Changmin and he believed that that man had done his best for him in his stead.
And it’s time for him to give his brother the freedom that was taken from him for so many years.
* * * * *
Changmin has turned off his mobile since he walked out of Min Sook’s office. His mind’s made up and he knew his resolution would crumble once he heard his brother’s pleading voice. He’s back home now, ready to say goodbye to his old life. No one needs to know that he won’t be sleeping here tonight.
He didn’t pack a single thing from his wardrobe, he won’t need so many suits anyway in his new life. He didn’t intend to say goodbye too, no one would miss him. He contemplated whether to make a call or not. When he finally dialed the number from his bedroom’s phone for the last time, he chuckled to hear the voice on the other line.
“Am I interrupting something?”
“Damn you, Shim Changmin! I thought that I’ll come and look for you if I don’t hear from you in another hour!”
“Aw, Junsu, I never thought that you miss me! How’s the vacation with the greasy boyfriend, managed to get pregnant yet?” He joked with his bestfriend, though he knew the man wasn’t amused at all.
“F*CK YOU!”
“Ah, that word already, he didn’t give you what you wanted?”
“If you don’t shut your mouth and tell me where you are right now I swear I’ll try my best to make the rest of your life miserable…”
Changmin didn’t reply.
“Min, come on… let’s meet. You haven’t called me and let me know how’s things going. You owe me that much, idiot. Tell me where you are.”
“I’ll see you at the usual place. In another 2 hours. I still have something else to finish.” He finally told him.
Junsu sighed. “Fine. I’ll see you soon. And Min…”
“Yeah…”
“… Nothing. See you.”
They both hung up. No more words were needed to be spoken. He picked up the handle once again and punch some numbers. The phone was picked up after one ring.
“This will be my last favor for you. I’ll see you at your office in the next 30 minutes.”
“I can’t, I won’t be able to move my meetin-“
“And that would be your problem, not mine, Jaejoong-ssi.”
“…”
“Is that a yes? Good. See you.”
Just one more night… and Shim Changmin will be an ordinary man.
* * * * *
Moonbin was losing sleep. Yet another night with no sign of his father to be home soon. He tried so hard not to worry him, not to call him… he wanted to show that he would patiently wait for his father to explain everything to him.
He finally had his Japan trip with the school 2 months ago. Considering what he went through to be able to go, he didn’t enjoy one bit of the trip. Not when he couldn’t stop thinking about home… about his father, his uncle and Kim Jaejoong-ssi. He felt like crying over the anxiety. His friends didn’t even speak to him, perhaps afraid of the gloomy aura that he radiated.
He read the paper. Nothing hurt him more than to find out about his father’s family secret from the media revealed day after day. And yet his father still told him to wait, he promised to tell him everything up to the tiny bit. But time was not exactly a good friend when you’re waiting in uncertainty. It’s like darkness that consumed you bit by bit… drowned you in fear of something that have you no answer of.
What’s worse was that he’s supposed to start his new term in the new school, but someone that his father called Min Sook-ahjussi advised him to stay home for the time being. Yoochun-ssi already acknowledged it and told him not to worry, he would take care of the school’s admission and everything else. He spent his time tending the store with Jihye-noona and study on his own. He called his uncle a few times, he always answered but he didn’t have the heart to ask him more than: “Is Appa fine? Please tell him to have enough rest. Are you fine, Min-ahjussi? Good… I love you.”
Jihye-noona did everything to cheer him up… but he caught her sad gaze once in awhile when she thought he didn’t pay attention and doing something else. He totally appreciated every comforting hug that she gave, the reassuring squeezed on his shoulder when he stood by the door wishing to see his father’s shadow nearing under the disappearing sun… the ‘stamina food’ that she cooked just for him… He loved her too, but she’s not his father.
Kim Jaejoong-ssi called him earlier and asked him to come to his office the next day. Moonbin told him that he couldn’t go to town without his father’s consent but he was told that someone will pick him up and return him back later. Somehow he felt that this is something that his father shouldn’t know. But he couldn’t leave the store without telling Jihye-noona where he’s going.
One more thing that he hates about the waiting… he would have to lie again to his noona and his father. He did get the chance to ask some questions to Jaejoong-ssi… though at first he seemed reluctant to answer he finally promised him to tell him what he knows as long as he come and tell no soul about their meeting. He had decided inside his heart that even if he had to tell a lie, he must find out the truth that surrounds him. For the sake of his future.
* * * * *
Chapter 13
Sorry for not being able to update in almost a month T___T Trouble at work… so many changes and new policy that I’m just so drained once working hours was over. And with LJ kept crashing it’s so discouraging to even come to LJ… *sigh*
I’ll be leaving for a 2 week holiday in San Francisco & Anaheim on the 17th, hopefully another chapter can be posted before leaving and I’m bringing my laptop along just in case inspiration struck in the middle of my trip LOL *as if* Anyway, just so you know that this chapter is the last current time in the fic… we’ll be time skipping in the next chapter, yeeha!! Comments inspire me… thank you!