ONE (1/2)
<u>Characters:</u>
(As they appear in chapter)
Kim Jongin (22): Heir to Kai Corporations
Lee Taemin (22): Jongin's friend
Song Naeun (21): Taemin's girlfriend
Suzy (21): A model, one of Jongin's many "ladies"
(Jung) Victoria (27): Co-founder of a small orphanage Sunny Ridges, married to Yunho
Jung Yunho (28): Co-founder of a small orphanage Sunny Ridges, married to Victoria
Liu Henry (24): Cook at Sunny Ridges
Park Sunyoung (22): Senior standing art student
Baekhyun (8), Chanyeol (8), Amber (8), Krystal (6), Jinri (6): orphans at the Sunny Ridges orphanageONEJongin.
Jongin brushed off the settling dust on his suit as he waited nonchalantly on the sofa of his grandfather’s office. He checked his gold cartier watch. Well, that old man was sure making him wait for a long time. Jongin impatiently tapped his fingers across of the arm of the sofa. Maybe the old fart was finally going to retire and give him their corporation. Jongin has been waiting his whole life to finally become the CEO of Kai Corporations, managing malls, hotels, and resorts. He would finally be at the top.
The door suddenly opened and an old man walked in and sat down on the chair across from Jongin.
“Grandpa,” he said, “If you’re gonna call me over, at least be here. You’re making me waste my precious time.”
His grandpa just ignored him as he took a deep breath and looked at his grandson, “Jongin-ah. I have something important to say to you.”
“What is it?” Jongin asked, secretly excited on the inside to finally be receiving the company and being able to do whatever he wanted with it.
“I have thought gravely for a long time and I have come to a decision to… not give Kai corps, yet.” His grandpa said.
“Are you serious?” Jongin said with a scoff, raging in disbelief, “You have got to be kidding me.”
“I’m being very serious, Jongin,” the old man replied back. Jongin laughed manically and then made a straight face, “I did everything you told me to do. You made me study abroad at Harvard to get my BA in business and I worked my butt off to graduate honors and within three years. And then you made me work at the dying and smallest branch right now and you what? You’re not going to bequeath this company to me?”
Jongin’s grandpa sighed, “Jongin-ah, you’re extremely bright. In fact, you definitely have our business running genes. Yes, that I am completely sure of. But you have no character. Looks at this.”
His grandpa threw a stack of newspapers on the table. Jongin looked and saw it was an article about him and one of the model girls he picked up, and then some other chic and etc. He shrugged, “So I’m popular with the ladies. That’s why you’re not giving me this company?”
“Do you know how bad this makes our company look, especially to our international relations? You’re defaming our company’s image of loyalty and faithfulness.”
Jongin groaned as he put his hands up, “Okay, I’m sorry that girls want me and so I hook up with them. I’ll hide them as much as possible. You happy now, old fart?”
“It’s much more than just these girls, Jongin. I’ve focused so much on making you the perfect heir that I forgot to make you into a good human being.” His grandpa said solemnly. Jongin started getting even angrier, “What the fuck. How do you know what kind of human being I am? Do you even know me, huh? What right do you have to say that to me? Shit, dude. What is it that you want, old man? What the fuck do I have to do now, huh?”
His grandpa grimaced, “Watch your language, Jongin. And show some respect.”
“Respect?” Jongin yelled, “Oh yeah. I’m definitely gonna have respect for you when you lecture me on this crap. Very hypocritical of you, grandpa. ”
“I never said I wouldn’t give you the company,” his grandpa said. Jongin calmed down for a second. His grandpa continued, “I’m just not giving it to you yet. I signed you up for three months of community service.”
Jongin groaned, “What the hell, grandpa.”
“Listen!” his grandpa said curtly, “It’s at my god-daughter’s orphanage Sunny Ridges. You’ll be living there and helping Victoria.”
Jongin stood up, “Screw that. Fuck that. I don’t want this stupid company.
And with that Jongin stormed out of the room.
--
Who the fuck did his grandpa think he is? Jongin fumed as he parked his sleek BMW in front of the store and threw his keys at the valet guy. He walked up the club to the VIP section and sat down where his friend was.
“What took you so long?” Taemin asked, drinking the whisky in his hand while his arm was around his girlfriend Naeun. Jongin grabbed the bottled from his friend and took a big swig.
“Don’t even ask. My grandpa is getting too old.” Jongin said.
“Oppa~” some bar girl whined as she latched on to his arm, “I hope you’re not too stressed.”
Jongin gave her his sweet playboy smiled and said, “Oppa is fine. Why don’t you be a little darling and go get me more drinks?”
The girl nodded as she ran out to listen to him.
“So what you gonna do about the old man?” Taemin asked, eating the cherries Naeun was feeding him. Jongin shrugged as he drank the alcohol, “I don’t care right now. I’m not his stupid puppet he can control.”
“Bro, you need to calm down,” Taemin said, “Just drink up and enjoy life. Maybe grab a chic or two. I’m sure he’s just bluffing.”
Jongin shook his head as he downed his second bottle, “Whatever. I’m over it.”
--
“What?” Jongin twitched as he stared down the scared cashier lady.
“I…” the woman said, shaking, “I said your card was declined.”
Jongin laughed manically and smiled menacingly at the cashier, “My card was what?”
The woman gulped as Jongin started stomping on the ground and kicked some nearby box.
“Jagiyah” Suzy, who was standing next to him whispered, trying to calm him down by grabbing his shoulder. Jongin shoved her hand away and took a deep breath before saying, “I’m sorry babe. It looks like you might have to buy the dinner.”
The model just nodded as she quickly paid for the meal. Meal paid for, Jongin stormed out of the restaurant, leaving behind the poor girl. He furiously drove to his house and stomped into his grandpa’s room. The old man was sitting peacefully, reading the newspaper.
“Is this a joke?” Jongin shouted. His grandpa just kept reading his newspaper, not making eye contact with his grandson, “What do you mean?”
“The fuck, dude. You blocked all my credit cards.” Jongin said. His grandpa finally set the newspaper down and set down his glasses.
“Yes, I decided to cut off all your cards until you complete my demand of community service.”
Jongin laughed, “Grandpa, you can’t do that to me. I work. I make my own money. This shit isn’t gonna make me do what you want.”
“Well then,” his grandpa said, “You’re fired.”
Jongin laughed before he stared at his grandpa, “I’m what?”
“Fired,” his grandpa said, “either that or you take a temporary three month leave to do community service.”
Jongin let out a deep breath, trying to calm himself down.
“You can’t just fire me like that.”
“yes I can.” His grandpa said, “So are you going to take the deal or what?”
“The company won’t survive without me,” Jongin said angrily. His grandpa chuckled, “You’re so young, Jongin. Do you really think you’re that significant in this world right now? You think you’re so important to the company that we won’t survive without you? No, Jongin. I want you to clearly see what a privilege it is to be a part of this family and to be in the position you are in.”
“I have a motherfucking degree,” Jongin muttered, “I can find myself any other job. They would be dying to have me.”
His grandpa shook his head, “Already told no one to accept you. You can try, but don’t get too discouraged”
Jongin fumed and let out a frustrated scream before tightening his lips and forcing out the words, “You’re always like this, old man. Always manipulating my life. Well fine. Fuck, I’ll follow your plans once again. Are you happy now?”
His grandpa let out a small smile and said, “I knew you’d come around.”
Jongin sighed as his grandpa handed him a manila envelope.
“This has all the information of the community service inside. Just follow the directions. Also, a debit card is in there. I will only put in an exact amount every week in which you will barely be able to survive. So don’t try anything stupid.”
Jongin just walked out the door with the folder and slammed the door to his room.
--
Jongin frowned as he pulled up to a quaint looking building in the middle of nowhere. He didn’t even know a place like this existed in Seoul. Dirt roads were so not good for his car. Jongin sighed, as he grabbed his duffle bag and swung it over his shoulder. He stuffed the other hand in his brand name sweats and put his expensive aviator shades on. He walked in through the front door and saw kids running around the halls. Jongin grimaced. He hates kids. Jongin looked around and saw a young woman calling out for the kids to go to eat. She then noticed his presence and looked at him inquisitively, “Are you Kim Jongin?”
Jongin sighed as he chewed his gum loudly, “Yup.”
The lady smiled and came over, “I’m Victoria, nice to meet you, Jongin.”
He gave her a fake smile as he shook her hand.
“You have no idea how delighted my husband and I are to have bright young man help us out at the orphanage!” she said cheerfully. Jongin just nodded, not really digging the vibe of the place. It was too… bright and chirpy. Wasn’t this an orphanage?
“Please, follow me!” Victoria said as she ushered him through a series of halls and into the kitchen. While walking, Jongin checked her out. She probably was a lot older than him, but she had nice curves. And not to mention a pretty face. He smirked, maybe he could get some of that. They arrived at the dining area where a group of 8 young children were eating.
“Yunho!” Victoria called out. A tall man popped out from the kitchen and went over to them.
“This is my husband, Yunho.” Victoria said with a smile as Jongin just gave a curt nod, “We run this small orphanage together. It’s quite difficult to manage so we are just so delighted that you can help us!”
Jongin gave them a nice big smile as he sarcastically said, “You have no idea how glad I am to be here.”
Apparently the couple didn’t notice the sarcasm and they just excitedly nodded.
“So, we house around 19 children,” Yunho said, “Ranging from age 14 to 5. The ones older than 8 go to public school, while those who are younger get schooling here, usually taught by Victoria and a couple other teachers. So you’ll probably interact most with our younger kids. Except for the weekend when everyone is home.”
Jongin just nodded. As long as he didn’t have to be with the kids. Oh who was he kidding? They probably will squeeze every working power out of him. Jongin sighed as Yunho said, “Let me show you to your room.”
Jongin followed the older man up the stairs and into a small room. Like seriously, it was the size of Jongin’s bathroom. There was only a bed, a dresser, a small desk, and no room for any walking.
“One of our children recently got adopted, so we made this room for you!” Yunho said, “I hope you like it.”