Chapter Thirty-eight (1/2)
Nct - Na Jaemin
Sunday comes and Joshua decides to go to that spa today. He walks down the stairs with his jacket on and heads toward the door. Jeonghan looked at him with suspicious eyes as he held Dino's hand. He sees Joshua putting his shoes on with a smile. "Josh?" Jeonghan walks the younger to where Joshua is. "Where are you going?" He asked. "Oh, the owner of the cafe suggested I should relax in a spa nearby. The first visit is free, he said." Joshua answered and looked down at Dino with a big smile.
The child stopped smiling as Jeonghan's grip got tighter. "You never asked if you could go out. I suspect you'll want the keys too?" He asked with an undertone of anger in his voice. "No, I'm going to walk. It's not too far." He said, pulling up the map on his phone. "It's really close to the college, so I'm thinking that instead of making the kids wake up earlier, I can just walk to college every day." He said, typing in the address of the spa. Dino pouts his lip as Jeonghan's grip gets even tighter. "No way, you're not walking early in the morning on the street." He argued. Joshua handed his phone to Jeonghan. "That's where I'm going, and that's the cafe." He pointed as he looked over Jeonghan's shoulder. Jeonghan pursed his lips and tightened his grip once more. "Dad!" Dino started crying.
He looked down at the child and let go of Dino's hand. "I'm so sorry," He handed the phone back to Joshua and went on his knees to look at Dino's hand. He kissed Dino's hand all over and looked up at Joshua. "You better be home at a good time." He said with narrowed eyes. "I'll be home by three o'clock, I promise. And I'll text you when I get there and when I'm coming home." Joshua replied. "I'll be fine, Dad. Don't worry about me."
Jeonghan stood up and looked angrily at the adult. "How can I not be worried about you, Josh? You're making decisions without even talking to me first. You're like your father!" He complained. Joshua stepped back. "I.." Jeonghan held his forehead and shook his head. "I'm sorry.. I didn't mean to snap at you." Jeonghan sighed. "Dino-ah, please go to the kitchen with Hoshi." He looked down at the boy who's still holding his hand. Joshua watched Dino run into the kitchen. "Joshua," Jeonghan looked at him, "you're my baby. It's only natural for me to be protective over you - all of you." Joshua nodded and put a hand on Jeonghan's shoulder. "I know, I'm not upset about it. I'm really happy you still care about me." He said with a smile. "But I want to see the world too. I want to look around and marvel at the beauty and know what to stay away from. And I don't mind you still holding my hand while I look at the things. "If I get hired, I will message you every time I get the chance to." He promised. "Just like I text you between every class. I know I made plans without talking to you first, but you also make plans for us without talking to us first." He said.
Jeonghan pouted his lip and looked down. "I won't tell Cheol-dad that you said that, but I hope you talk to him about it soon." Joshua said. "I'll be going now. See you in a few hours." He leaned forward for a hug. Jeonghan hugged back and watched the male exit the house. The door closed, and Jeonghan held the door. He looked through the peephole, watching him walk off. My baby.. He sniffled.
*** Joshua entered the spa and looked around the clean place. The colors were white and light blue. He smiled at the fresh scents in the air. He walked to the front desk and smiled at the lady at the counter. "Your name?" She asked. "Joshua Hong," He answered, "this is my first time here." He included. She typed his name in and looked at the records. "Welcome to Pyeonhan Spa," She stood up and bowed, "we only have one room open today. What are you looking to get?" Joshua looked at the sign above her. "Just a general session, please." He bowed back. He signed his name and gave her his identification, putting him in the system to have visited the spa. She smiled and handed him a card. "This is the key card for room seven. Your masseuse is an amiteur. Hopefully this doesn't disinterest you." "In this sense, do you mean that he hasn't worked here for long?" He asked, taking the card. "He only has a license for this spa, Sir. He hasn't gone through years of college." She informed. "But he is a good worker, many customers love his work." She included. He nodded. "Then there's nothing wrong, Ma'am. Thank you." He bowed and walked away from the desk.
He looked at the door and swiped his card. He walked into the room and saw a couch, bed, and a chair. He looked around and let the door close behind him. He sees ointments and different sized candles around. There are two doors. One says spa, the other says staff. He silently walks to the chair and sits down. A minute or two passes and the staff door opens up. Joshua stands up to bow to the man who walked into the room. "Good morning, I am Na Jaemin." The worker introduced himself. "I am your masseuse today." He bowed. Joshua bowed. "I'm Joshua Hong." He replied. "Please have a seat." He showed the chair. "You requested a general massage. I will start out with your head and neck and work down." He informed. Joshua felt his jacket being put down a little. "Should I take it off?" He asked. "That would probably be best," Jaemin said, watching the other's movements, "you're a student, aren't you?" "Yes, I am. At the college." He pointed the general direction. Jaemin nodded. "Me too." He replied, putting the jacket on the coat rack. "Is it your first year?" Joshua hummed in confirmation. "Mine too. Maybe we've seen each other around before." Jaemin said, moving his hands along Joshua's neck. Joshua gasped at the next movement. "You have a lot of tension here," Jaemin commented, "stress usually takes your heart and neck first before going to the other parts of your body. It's really important to set some time for yourself to relax." He said, being more gentle with his movements. Joshua smiled as the tension got relieved with the other boy's hands. His head was next and the chair was moved backward in order for Jaemin to have better access. "It's just so hard to get a break.." Joshua said, letting the other relax his muscles in his face. Jaemin hummed and looked at the other's facial features: his plump lips, long eye lashes, and high cheekbones. He noticed the red around the eyes as well as some wrinkles around them too. "You haven't been getting sleep," He commented, "I recommend drinking herbal tea in the evening." He suggested, watching the other sigh in relaxation. Joshua laid down on the table next, getting his back loosened up. Nothing too much was said between the two as Jaemin relieved the older's stress. "I hope you feel better after today," Jaemin put his hands together, "I always feel better after relaxing, even if it's only for ten minutes." He continued, watching Joshua put his jacket back on. "I already feel better, thank you." He bowed. "How much would it be to get another session next week?" He asked. Jaemin chuckled. "If you make an appointment, it'll be much cheaper." He said, going to his planner in his coat. "I have an opening for three o'clock to four o'clock next Sunday. For a general-" "'I'd just like a face and neck massage," Joshua interrupted, "I think I benefited from that the most." He said.
The younger pursed his lips and nodded. "It'll be ₩10,000 then." He said. "That'll work. But I'd like to skip this next week." Joshua included. "I'm sorry for being so picky." Jaemin closed his planner and shook his head. "You're allowed to be picky here." He assured. "It's just.. my dad was really upset that I made plans coming here without telling him first." Joshua played with his fingers as he explained. "I hate making him upset.." "I understand, believe me. I hate making my family upset too." Jaemin said softly. "Here's my spa card, you text when you want to make an appointment." Joshua took the card and saw the logo of the spa. "Thank you.." "And here's my number," Jaemin handed him a different piece of paper, "text me when you need to get something off your chest."
The older looked at Jaemin in shock. "Really? But.. I couldn't burden you.." He said. "I have burdens too if you want to exchange. It's always easier to handle things when you have someone who can relate." Jaemin said, smiling at the end. "You don't have to, of course. It's just an offer.." Joshua blushed and looked down when they made eye contact. "I just hope you won't regret it." He whispered. "Have a good day, Mr. Hong." He bowed.
*** The next day in the afternoon, Jaemin walked into the cafe like usual. He cracked his neck and met his boss in the back. He put his apron on like usual and looked at the people around.
"Good afternoon, I'll relieve the cafe to you." Woohyun took his apron off. "Oh, and your suggestion to close the cafe last week worked well. We managed to get one person applying." He raised his finger.
Jaemin cheered. "Woopii! Maybe business will go better." He looked at the fairly empty cafe.
"He has no work experience, Jae. I suggest you let him do the baking and easy drinks." Woohyun said, looking down at the counter."True.. the machine is difficult to master. I'll try teaching him, but it would be best if he could focus on baking." Jaemin said, fixing his bangs a little.
Woohyun nodded while holding his hips. He looked toward the door. "Oh, here he comes. He starts work after school just like you." He said. The door opens and the two boys look at each other in shock."Joshua.""Jaemin."
Woohyun looked between them and chuckled. "Seems like this boy is good at listening. You went to the spa like I suggested, didn't you?" He asked the older of the two.
"Y-yeah.." Joshua replied while hesitantly bowing.
"Well there's no need to introduce you two, get to work." Woohyun patted Jaemin's shoulder before walking out of the front door. Joshua looked back at Jaemin with raised eyebrows. "Nice to meet you again," He said shyly.
Joshua wasn't for sure if Jaemin would be happy seeing him again. He didn't know if Jaemin would be annoyed seeing him everyday and once more on Sunday. He wasn't for sure if he was welcome to be near Jaemin. Maybe dad's right. Maybe I'm not ready to work yet.. He held his arms nervously.
Jaemin noticed Joshua's facial expression. He cleared his throat to gain the older male's attention. "Follow me, I'll get your apron and name tag." He instructed.
Joshua followed him into the kitchen. Jaemin tied the knot behind Joshua and pinned the name tag on Joshua's apron. He smiled and looked into Joshua's eyes.
"It's cool to be working with someone my age. I've been working with that guy for three years. Lemme tell you, I feel like I've aged like five years each year." Jaemin laughed as he walked up to the machine. Joshua pouted his lip. "Fifteen years in three years can be devastating to some people.." He said casually. Jaemin noticed the upset glare Joshua has. "I didn't mean to offend," He held up his hands, "I just meant that I feel like his stories and such feel like I'm his age and spent a lot of my life with him." Jaemin explained himself.
Joshua nodded and scratched his neck. "Sorry.. so what's this?" He looked at the machine.