Reasons Behind (1/1)

"I've been neglecting him. He has all the right to break up with me." Jae Joong played with his Pasta a la Matriciana. "But what can I do? I have people depending on me.""But Hyung," Jun Su sighed impatiently. "You should have told him." He said it like Jae Joong was a three year old imbecile."I can't. You know Yun Ho. The moment I mention it to him, he'll whip a checkbook out and voila! It's done. I didn't want that to happen.""But you didn't see this coming, did you?" Yoo Chun asked."I think I've been overconfident. We've been together for eight years anyway and and I thought he can wait 'til everything's over; that he wouldn't throw this relationship because of one too many dates and special occasions that I've missed." He smiled bitterly.[flashback]"Get in." Yun Ho ordered, his voice void of any emotion. Jae Joong bit his lip and got in the passenger seat wordlessly. The Maserati was speeding through the empty street even before he could put his seatbelt on."Yun Ho-ah, slow down. . .p-please?" It was the cold autumn evening--morning and drops of sweat were forming at his forehead. He was worried that he might throw up (he's notorious for being motion sick) and that the cops might pull them over anytime for overspeeding."Belated happy anniversary." Yun Ho gritted his teeth. His hands were gripping the steering wheel too tightly."I'm so sorry! I had to do something really important. I was--""We closed the important deal last night! What's more important than our anniversary anyway, Kim Jae Joong?" Jae Joong winced. It's always a bad thing when Yun Ho uses his full name. Well, what could be worse than making his boyfriend wait until 1am for him to show up and forgetting their eight year anniversary? *You're over, Kim Jae Joong* He thought silently while racking his brain for a good alibi. He actually had a good one but he can't tell him. "Answer me, goddamnit!" Yun Ho yelled and he cringed."I--I won't make an excuse anymore. . .I'll make it up to you, okay?" He was in Syracuse and it was too darn far from New York City. And to make matters worse, he forgot his cellphone. When he arrived at his apartment, there were tons of messages from Yun Ho. Jae Joong arrived at Bar Americana only to find out that Yun Ho reserved the whole place for both them. But the food, preparations and effort all went to waste. Yun Ho didn't say anything and just concentrated on driving.To say that he didn't fulfill his promise was an understatement. He can't help but stood him up on dates and other important occasions that they should be together. He can't help it. He was living a double life without him knowing. He felt guilty about having to keep him in the dark but he was determined to face it all on his own."Jae Joong-hyung!" Jun Su shook Jae Joong lightly. "Are you listening?""I guess not." He let out an apologetic smile. "Sorry.""Right. You've been doing that a lot lately. It's not healthy.""Mian. What was it?""I was thinking, if I can't help you with your heart problem then maybe I can help you in raising funds?""That's a great idea, love." Yoo Chun agreed."I always have great ideas, you know." He pinched his lover's nose. "Anyway, I'm thinking of partnering with you.""Why? Is the law firm not doing well?" He asked worriedly. Six months ago, Jun Su opened his own law firm after working for White and Case Law Offices for about a year. It was a major decision to leave one of the world's largest law firms and he could tell that his foster parents were so proud of their only son. Jun Su wanted to be a lawyer like Sung Gil and continue his father's ideals. After graduating from Yale Law School with flying colors, Jun Su broke all records and became the first Asian ever to top the International Bar Exams."Of course not!" In all confidence. "It IS doing well." He smiled proudly. "But maybe you can put up your own company and I'll be a silent partner?""W-whoa. Thank you but. . .""No buts, Kim Jae Joong.""You would let me think about it for at least a day, wouldn't you?" He threw him a pleading gaze. Putting up a company would mean a lot of sacrifices and hard work. He was not afraid to get his hands dirty but he was not sure if it would be worth the sacrifices he would make. He wouldn't want to lose Jun Su too if worse comes to worst."C'mon Hyung, what you've got to lose? Jun Su can always sue you if it doesn't work." Yoo Chun guffawed at his own joke. Jun Su gave him a mocking smile."Nice try, Park. Don't you ever give a deal at any of his restaurants, Hyung." He told Jae Joong and Yoo Chun pouted cutely.***************************************************************************"Just admit it." Sung Min didn't even raise his head from reading the documents sent from the Creative Department. He was laughing secretly at Yun Ho's demise. His friend cum boss was daydreaming, staring blankly at the neighboring sky scraper through the floor-to-ceiling glass walls.Yun Ho turned his swivel chair towards his direction a little too fast resulting for him to land on the carpeted floor butt first. "Ouch!" He noticed Sung Min laughing his ass off. "And you call yourself my friend?! Seriously!" He yelled while having a hard time getting up."That's what you get for spacing out." He helped him up but Yun Ho pushed him away."And what is it that you want me to admit?" He asked harshly."Just admit that you miss Jae Joong-hyung." Sung Min replied casually and Yun Ho scowled."Mind your own business." Yun Ho sat down at the small conference table inside his office again and took the files Sung Min was reading earlier. "Why didn't you sign it yet?" He asked, annoyed. Sung Min was head for Special Sales and works directly under him as he was Vice President for Sales. He'd been with the company right after college. When Sony Music branched out to give chances to Asian artists, they put up a separate company that specializes with the matter and they prioritized Asian applicants to fill in the administrative and creative positions as well. It may not be as big as being with the main headquarters in Hollywood but it was as fullfilling as he gets to help his fellow Asians reach their dreams of becoming a recording star."I wouldn't sign anything I am not convinced with." Sung Min pursed his lips."Why?""I'll leave you alone so you can read it. Be sure to work hard. You wouldn't want your dongsaeng snatching your position, would you?." He winked and left the room, a flying paperweight following him closely behind. Yun Ho can still hear Sung Min's laughter seconds after he left and he was contemplating of throwing him his laptop too. But his friend was right, he didn't read the proposal at all. He sighed in frustration as he flipped the first folder open. Minutes later, he was storming out of his office angrily with only one destination in mind: the Creative Department Head's office.***************************************************************************"I am here to see Mr. Kim. Tell him I want to talk to him about the GARBAGE he sent to my office." And threw the folder onto the table harshly. He added the second sentence when he saw Hee Chul, the secretary, about to protest. Was Jae Joong doing it on purpose? It was the first time in five years that he was unsatisfied with what Jae Joong did for he company. His ex-boyfriend was the one to blame for popularity of various Asian superstars through his one of a kind ideas to launch them and to keep their stars shining. But it seems that he's resorting to underhanded techniques to get back at him."I am afraid Mr. Kim won't be able to see you." Hee Chul narrowed his eyes at him. He wasn't just a secretary to Jae Joong, he was a good friend too. And was firm that what Yun Ho did was cruel to say the least.Yun Ho scoffed. He was about to get pass Hee Chul to go straight to Jae Joong's office when,"If you'll only read the proposal carefully, it wasn't Mr. Kim who approved it. He left the company two days ago. That was from the new Creative Head." Hee Chul smirked.***************************************************************************"So, he left the company already? Since when?" Dong Hae handed him a bottle of Heineken before settling down a funky colored ottoman. Yun Ho and Kang In were in his apartment."And how come you didn't know? You work for the same company, you idiot." Kang In mused. "Or 'used to work' the apt term?" He sniggered and Yun Ho almost hit him with the beer bottle. Truth was, he was wondering, too, how Jae Joong managed to leave without a fuss. And right away too. Like him, Jae Joong's indespensable to the company since his ideas 'make things happen' as how President Han put it. The President and CEO won't let him go that easy and to replace him with a bimbo was utterly irrational."Maybe he did on purpose. To make things easier for both of you." Dong Hae was caressing his chin. Yun Ho hated to admit but both of his cousins has developed a liking for Jae Joong just like the rest of his family. But his cousin had a point. Jae Joong's desire to put everyone else before himself was legendary. One of the reasons why he fell for him in the first place. Though a little temperamental, he was unselfish and kind. Didn't he make the break up a lot easier for him when he was expecting bloodshed to say the least?"Stop talking about him and tell me what I need to do to get him off my mind!" Both were surprised of his sudden outburst. Dong Hae grinned. He thought it was about time his cousin throw the white towel down."Why don't you try talking to him?" Kang In suggested."Yeah. I think that's the only good thing you said since you arrived." Dong Hae agreed and Kang In smacked him on the forehead."Aw!" He turned to him after glowering at Kang In. "Maybe you can talk it out and fix whatever it was that was broken.""There's nothing to be fixed!" He snapped. "You don't understand me, do you? You just see that I was the one who broke up with him but you didn't even ask me why I did that!""Then tell us! Stop keeping it all to yourself!" Kang In's voice was as high.****************************************************************************"Umma?" Jae Joong rubbed his eyes, thinking that he was hallucinating in an early Sunday morning. But it really was Hyun Ji, his mother for all intents and purposes. He removed the eye cover from his forehead hastily and made a futile attempt to fix his disheveled hair. He kissed both of her cheeks and regretted it immediately because of his morning breath though she didn't seem to mind."Good morning, Jae Joong-ah." She smiled cheekily and let herself in after removing her shoes. He picked her luggage (a heavy one) from the doorstep and took a deep breath."You should have called and I could have picked you up from the airport." He said and padded to the kitchen to fix both of them coffee. While the percolator was working, he went to fix himself."Why, afraid that I'll get lost here in New York?" She asked and Jae Joong grinned. Hyun Ji Choi was a true blue New Yorker. Born and raised in America, she fell in love with Jun Su's father in a short trip in Korea during her gap year.*I'm afraid of you, Mother.* He wanted to say but chose not to. "I'm just trying to be a good son." He placed the mugs down on the coffee table."But you're always a good son." Her eyes followed Jae Joong's every move in the spacious apartment."And my head's getting big." He laughed. "Did Jun Su know you're coming over?" He would kill him if he did and he didn't even mention it to him."Yes. But I told him I won't be staying with him." Yep, Jun Su's dead. So dead."I take it that you're staying with me then?" He verified."Should I stay in a hotel even if I have TWO sons in New York?" She asked and Jae Joong gulped. "Now, what's on your fridge? Let me cook for us." She stood up and proceeded to the kitchen. She knew very well Jae Joong's not the best cook ever and he barely touches a kitchen utensil."Umma! Don't! Let me get dressed and we'll have breakfast somewhere else, alright?" He groaned inwardly while dressing up. It will be one hell of a day for him.