Everything Happens For a Reason, Chapter 2
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Chapter 2
After spending 3 days at home, it’s time to return to the shooting scene. Both of them didn’t go anywhere but enjoyed each other’s company. They went to bed & woke up next to each other, cuddling, visiting the main house just to chat with Yunho’s family, watching movies and definitely lots of sex. For Jaejoong , it’s not the lust that drove him crazy for Yunho’s touch, but more like the intimacy, the assurance that they’re still belong to each other. Being lonely for too long made him craved for physical closeness. Nothing that Yunho said could relieve him from his insecurities until he made love to him, until he could feel the other in flesh, that he’s real and not just an imagination. Or maybe what happened with his parents that turned him this way. They were scientist & they were missing in an expedition. Their bodies were never found. In his 15 years of age, he learned to live by himself and to accept the fact that his parents were no longer around, though nothing can validate their death he’s left only with the memories of their smiles & his mother’s kisses on the top of his head on their last breakfast together.
The 1 hour drive to the shooting location spent in comfortable silence, exchanging smiles and little kisses. They were really happy for being able to spend some quality time. But as soon as they parked & walked closer to the set they saw a little commotion in front of a tent. Supposed to be Soon Mi’s make up dressing room. Yunho didn’t say anything to him but just quickened his steps with Jaejoong running a little behind him.
Yunho asked a crew who’s trying to take a peek inside, “What’s going on?? It’s still early and the shot hasn’t even started something happen?”
The guy didn’t look at him but just answered, “I’m not sure. But looks like Soon Mi-sshi suddenly fainted when she was being made-up.”
Jaejoong glanced at Yunho who suddenly looked worried and pushed his way inside the tent. He was still following closely behind.
In the tent, he could see Soon Mi’s manager was holding her hand and speaking to her. His place was wuickly replaced by Yunho.
“What happened? What’s going on? Why did she suddenly pass out?” Yunho asked her manager while holding her right hand & wiped the sweat on her forehead. She was conscious.
“I’m not so sure… I thought she was alright. She didn’t go anywhere during the 3 days off and stayed at her mansion. Though she sounded a little breathless everytime I called to checl up on her, she always told me that she’s fine.” He replies in confusion.
“You just called and didn’t bother to drop by to actually see how she was doing?” Yunho told asked sarcastically.
Jaejoong could alse felt Yunho’s eyes on him, as if he’s accusing him for not letting him to call her 3 days ago. He could only stare at the floor.
“Soon Mi, are you okay? Oppa’s here, tell me how do you feel now,” Yunho whispered to her.
Soon Mi gave him a weak smile, “I’m fine Oppa, really. I just felt a little dizzy and suddenly everything went black around me. Maybe it’s just my low blood pressure.”
“Are you sure? Is this the 1st time that it happens to you?” Yunho asked her again.
“Mmmm… well, it happens a couple of times already at home, but I didn’t think it’s anything serious, really. Don’t worry too much, maybe I’m just stressed out.”
“Stressed out? Why?” Yunho kept pushing her. Somehow Jaejoong felt his heart clench at the sight of Yunho caressing Soon Mi’s forehead and tightly held her hand while whispering softly at her.
“I.. I don’t think that I’ve.. that I’ve been… doing good during the shooting. I’m so afraid of the criticism I’d get once the movie played, so… so I found it hard to sleep during these past 3 days.” She told him while sobbing quietly.
Yunho gathered her fragile form in his arms, “Ssssh, stop crying, Oppa’s here. You should’ve called me & tell me your worries. You know that you can’t handle stress since you were little.” His hold on her tightened.
Yunho pulled back & looked her in the eye, “I don’t think that you should continue the shooting today. I’ll talk to the director to shoot my scenes only until tomorrow meanwhile you should go to the doctor for a check-up and maybe the doctor can give you some prescription to sleep. What do you think?”
“Yeah, maybe that’s better…” Soon Mi said.
Yunho then called her manager and asked him to call the director, but not before he asked him who could take care of her at home. The manager said that he could do that, but maybe Soon Mi would feel awkward if she needs help.
Yunho seemed to be in deep thoughts for a few seconds before turning his head to Jaejoong and spoke to him for the 1st time since they got there, “Jaejoong-sshi, help me call my parents at home & tell my mother that I’m sending Soon Mi home with her manager as soon as finish with her check-up. Explain what happened to her, I’m sure she’ll understand. Tell her Soon Mi can stay in my bedroom in the main house and not to call Soon Mi’s parents until she’s home.”
Jaejoong couldn’t hide surprise and just stared at him. Why his bedroom? There’s a guest room too on the same floor.
“What?? Don’t give me the look and just make the call!” Yunho snapped at him. He blinked his eyes in surprise before he turned around to make the call outside.
Yunho talked to Soon Mi again, “That’s my decision. There’s no way you go back to your mansion where there’s no one who can watch over you. And it’s impossible to return to your parents in Busan when you have to start working again in 2 days, that would tire you out. This way Umma or JiHye can help looking after you, ok?”
Soon Mi nodded her head. And Yunho squeezed her hand once more before he got up to talk to the director. He’s sure he could finish all his scenes in 2 days. The shooting still go on and Soon Mi can have her rest. There’s no better alternative right now.
* * * * *
As soon as he was out of the tent Jaejoong called the Jung house and inform Yunho’s mother everything that needed to be informed. She said that she would prepare the bedroom and call Soon Mi’s parents when she got there.
Then he stayed outside. Honestly he didn’t know what he should do next. Yunho’s accusation eyes actually confuse him. How would he know what Soon Mi’s manager didn’t even go to see her but just gave her a call? He knew it wasn’t his fault but he couldn’t seem to stop being anxious. So he chose to stand outside and waiting for Yunho’s next order.
About 10 minutes later he saw Yunho came out of the tent & headed to meet the director who’s already on his way to see him with Soon Mi’s manager. Jaejoong stayed in his place and watched them talked from afar. It seemed that the director approved to give Soon Min an extra 2 days to rest and to proceed with Yunho’s single shot because he kept nodding in agreement. Then Yunho bowed to the director and walked back inside the tent with Soon Mi’s manager. He didn’t even try to look for him.
Everybody was informed of the changes in shooting plan & started to move around to get ready. Yunho carried Soon Mi into her manager’s van with the director on his side and some other people from the crew. Only after the van vanished from sight did Yunho looked around, trying to find him. Jaejoong silently walked over to him without looking into his eyes.
“Jae, where have you been? Have you called my mother?” the question inevitably came out from him.
“I have. She is preparing your room right now and JiHye will standby to wait for Soon Mi, she might need a company.” he replied carefully.
Yunho just nodded, “Great. I hope the check-up result will be fine and she’s just stressed out like she said. Thanks for helping.”
“No problem. I’m sorry too for not letting you call her back then. My apology.” He bowed to Yunho, all the while still not meeting his eyes.
“I’m sorry too, it’s not your fault. I should’ve caller her anyway if I was really curious about her condition. Let’ get ready, I need to start shooting as soon as possible, we’ve wasted half the morning already.” Yunho gave him a pat on the back. He could only smile & followed him to his own dressing room. Somehow he felt that the day would be longer than usual. He wished it was still their day off.
* * * * *
The shooting was over earlier than usual. Apparently Yunho was trying his best to finish as much scenes as he could. They’re already home by 11pm. Once they got off the car, they noticed that the lights in the living room was still on, and Soon Mi’s parent’s car was also parked in the carport. They decided to drop by the main house first, Yunho’s also wanted to know the result of the check-up.
It’s not possible not to notice the heavy atmosphere in the living room. Yunho called out first, “I’m home! Hello uncle, aunty… I’m sorry I couldn’t get home sooner. I have to finish the shooting first.”
Soon Mi’s parents gave him a weak smile and Yunho sat next to his mother. Jaejoong nodded politely to everyone and chose to stay in the foyer. It’s awkward, he knew, but he couldn’t let Soon Mi’s parents to guess what’s his position in the household if he’s choosing to sit with them.
Yunho’s father first cleared up his throat before he spoke, “Yunho, we need to talk to you right now. Are you fine? You’re not too tired?”
Yunho chuckled, “I’m fine, of course I’m not tired when I’m already home by this hour. You know I usually get home much later than this,” he seemed confuse but he continued to ask anyway, “so how’s the result of Soon Mi’s check up? She must be sleeping in my room upstairs right now, right?”
Both set of parents were looking at each other and Mr. Han started to speak, “Yunho, Soon Mi’s manager decided to call us from the hospital after he talked to the doctor. He also called your parents so we met over there. And the result…. Was not so good, “ he took a big sigh.
“What did the doctor say?” Yunho asked, even more curious now.
“You know that Soon Mi got tired easily since she was little right? But still she never wanted to be left behind by you & JiHye when you the three of you were playing & running around. “ it’s Mrs. Han who spoke now. “Her doctor always said that’s because of her low blood pressure. And that’s what we always believed until today.”
“So it’s not the actual problem now? What is it?”
“It was the problem in the beginning, but somehow it started to get worse about 2 years ago, even with prescribed medicine she would still look pale & drained of energy. When she decided to work in entertainment business, we already opposed to her. We were afraid that her body wouldn’t be able to handle the hard work, especially the stress. But she assured us that it’s the same field that Yunho Oppa is working at. She said, ‘If you don’t trust me, then trust Yunho Oppa to take care of me! Do you seriously think that he will let me get stressed out? I promise that I’ll call you and Uncle & Aunty Jung often so that you won’t be worried. Please Umma, Appa, let me do this!’ And how can we say no?” She smiled at him lovingly. “After all, the Oppa that she always loved will take care of her.”
Jaejoong’s face drained of all colors and he clenched his fists so hard that he’s afraid his palm would bleed. The more he heard the conversation went on, his fear kept rising inside of him. Fortunately the other couldn’t see him, and he definitely didn’t want to see Yunho’s face at the moment.
“But the basic check-up today showed an early sign of leukemia. The doctor needed to make complete blood test to be sure, but it showed.” It was Mr. Han’s voice.
Jaejoong could barely heard the gasp coming out of Yunho’s mouth. And the family butler, Shim Changmin, suddenly appeared beside him, “Jaejoong-ssi, would you me like to accompany you back to the pavilion? It seems that Yunho-ssi will be required to stay longer for the discussion. I’m sure that you also need a rest.”
Jaejoong looked up at him and expected pity or commanding gaze on the young butler’s eyes. But he only saw wisdom & a gentle smile that made him lose all power to say no. It was almost like a whisper when he answered, “Yes, please. I can walk by myself, just… please, tell Yunho that… that I’ll be waiting for him, will you?”
Changmin gave him an assuring smile, “I will, you will not have to worry. Please do let me know if you need anything else, don’t hesitate to ring me through the intercom.”
“Thank you Changmin-ssi. Good night.”
And Jaejoong took his heavy steps back to the pavilion. On one hand he sympathized with Soon Mi’s condition, but on the other hand he wondered the purpose of the conversation if it was only to update Yunho on Soon Mi’s condition. But for this moment, the 25 year old just need a hot bath and an aspirin so badly. Hopefully Yunho will return to him when he’s still awake.
* * * * *
Chapter 3