Operation Forget Jae Joon (1/1)

"I think Florida becomes you, Umma." Jae Joong mused over his silver dollar pancakes. After Jun Su became a lawyer, the older Kim retired and retreated in Tallahassee with Hyun Ji to realize his dream of becoming a farmer. And when both him and Jun Su visited their farm ranch once, he was surprised to see how young and happy they looked compared to when they were still living in the capital. "Well, it strips me of the hassles of being a lawyer's wife." She let out a cultured chuckle before putting a piece of french toast in her mouth. An education as expensive as that of Sarah Lawrence's really does something to someone. His 'mother' was the epitome of grace and elegance despite the old age. "But you're a lawyer's mother now." He said. "Oh, let Chun worry about Su. I'm done with that phase already." She waved his comment off nonchalantly. "But I guess I'm worried about you, Jae Joong-ah." Her face became serious and that scared Jae Joong much. Hyun Ji and Bae Kyung, Yun Ho's mother, were close friends and the former must have told his mother about the break up. Something he wouldn't dare tell her himself. Or at least not at this point when the wound's still fresh. "But I'm perfectly fine, see?" He forced a smile. "How are you coping up?" She asked like he didn't say anything and his smile faded instantly. This was the reason why having a Psychologist for a mother wasn't always good. And he'd been with this family too long for her to know his strengths and weaknesses. With Yun Ho being one of both. "I-I'm. . ." He swallowed a lump in his throat. "Getting by." She smiled sadly and took his hand in hers and squeezed it gently and Jae Joong honestly wanted to squall in her arms. But he can't. "Did. . .Auntie tell you what happened?" He managed to ask after the awkward moment. "No, Jun Su did. Your brother and father were worried about you and your father was like "C'mon, when are you going up? Your son needs you! What kind of a mother are you?' and mind you, I almost went ballistic!" Jae Joong laughed out loud. Hyun Ji was mimicking Sung Gil perfectly. "I was giving you a week to call me and tell me about it yourself but I think I put my hopes too high." She smirked. "How can I forget your pride's as huge as Manhattan itself?" "Manhattan's relatively small, Umma." He pouted. "And it is a man-made island." She tapped his shoulder gently. "Like this pride is all made up. Sometimes, it is worth lowering your pride a bit." "I can't believe I am discussing this with my mother no less. I am no patient of yours, Umma!" He whined and before long, they were sharing a hearty laughter. Hyun Ji wouldn't fail to cheer him up. He remembered the time when Korean government was dead set on bringing him back to Seoul right away after Yun Ho's confession fiasco in Dalton High. Hyun Ji made sure Uncle Bill (former President Clinton) calls (then) President Moo Yun Roh to let Jae Joong stay in America. And what happens when the most powerful man in the world negotiates on your behalf? Before he knew it, they were off to Maldives for a grand vacation and when they came back, he and Yun Ho were already enrolled in Columbia University's High School where he finished his Fine Arts degree as well. "Okay, okay." She even raised both of her hands in surrender. "I promised your father I won't force you into anything but will you do me a favor, Jae Joong-ah?" The look on her face made him nod. "Talk to Bae Kyung-sshi, she misses you a lot and is worried greatly about you." "I--" Jae Joong can't continue. After Yun Ho broke up with him, he discarded his cellphone and turned his land line's ringer off. And after a while, the calls and messages stopped. "Alright." And Hyun Ji had to smile at that. ***************************************************************************"WHAT?!" Bae Kyung shrieked."Mom! You just broke my eardrums!" Jessica complained, still covering her ears. She just told her mother that Yun Ho was off to a blind date. "You can't be serious Jung Soo Yeon!" Bae Kyung exclaimed, in much lower tone, in Jessica's relief but. . ."Mom! Didn't I tell you not to call me Soo Yeon again! It's Jessica!" She stomped her foot. She's been telling everyone she hates her given Korean name to the hilt and it wasn't difficult to convince everyone to call her Jessica except her own family. "That's not the main concern right now, okay? Did he tell you who he's going out with?" "Mother, it's a BLIND date. Are you listening?" "I can't take this anymore! Get dressed and we'll go after him." She was removing her apron now and was retrieving the car keys from the cupboard. "Mom, are you serious? We're going to stalk Oppa?! I," Emphasizing the 'I'. "Won't go that far!" "Are you defying me now?" Bae Kyung asked in a deceptive calm. "But! What would Oppa think if he catches us? He's not breaking any rule here, in case you forgot." "So, you don't want him to get back with Jae Joong anymore?" "I do but Mom, be reasonable." In her most convincing tone. She hated it when Yun Ho broke up with Jae Joong. The latter was like a bestfriend to her, the 'sister' she never had. She understood that what her mother felt about it was a hundred times more painful, she treated Jae Joong like her own son and during this holiday season, it was hardly bearable for Bae Kyung as Jae Joong had always been a faithful shopping partner. But she also believed that whatever it was that Yun Ho and Jae Joong decided for themselves was not for them to interfere. She just hoped Jae Joong would show himself soon.Bae Kyung sighed. "I guess you're right. Maybe they agreed on it. Jae Joong won't answer any of my calls too." ***************************************************************************"Man! I can't forgive you!" Yun Ho said without preamble the moment his cousin picked up. He muttered something unprintable when a car swerved in front of him. He heard Dong Hae sniggering from the other line. =What did I do this time? And how's your date anyway?= He can almost see him grinning from ear to ear. "Phenomenal." In the most sarcastic tone that he could muster. "I nearly died because of the vodka-infused dessert she ordered!" Yun Ho can tolerate any alcohol but not vodka. He discovered he had a unique allergy when they travelled to Russia one time and sampled vodka from one of the largest vodka libraries in the world. He had to stay in the hospital for the rest of the Russian trip after that. It was a good thing he was able to realize the dessert had vodka after the first bite. "And how come people don't ask for permission anymore?" He went on telling Dong Hae the mishaps on the date he had. The girl was pretty (though he should admit that Jae Joong was prettier even as a guy) and works as a stock broker for New York Stock Exchange. Lynn was quite a go-getter and a little too aggressive for the taking. Well, knowing what you wanted and how to get it was a good thing but stepping on someone's foot to get it was another. He took it as a good sign when Lynn arrived in the meeting place first. He was guided into a corner table and he was impressed on how she seemed to have prepared well for their date. But all the pleasant things ended right there. She took the liberty of ordering the food without waiting for him. She even told him bluntly that his restaurant of choice was known for having poor service and that she didn't want to wait too long for the food. It was his first time in the restaurant so he let it pass since he didn't want to wait too long for the food either. Then she monopolized the whole course of the conversation. Talking (more like blabbering) about anything from her childhood to the latest Versace scarves on sale in Neiman Marcus that he can't even take a breather. He must admit he's more of a listener than a talker, but really, it should be a two-way street! When she learned his connection to Sony Music, she went on about this cousin of hers who really wants to get discovered but made the mistake of mentioning his failure to enter American Idol after auditioning thrice. And worse, she wanted him to help her cousin!=But I was thinking of Jae Joong-hyung when I was choosing your date.= Dong Hae mused. "And what has Jae Joong got to do with this?" He asked sharply. He was still exasperated from the disastrous date. =Well, you wanted him out of your mind so I was thinking you should date the exact opposite of him.= "What the hell? Are you trying to help me or what?" =Honestly, I wanted to help. I want you to realize something. Wait, you have to get that right! If you don't then you're fired!= He was suddenly yelling. =Sorry about that. Some people just wouldn't get anything precisely!= He let out some air audibly. Dong Hae's a fashion photographer and when it comes to his craft, he can be the fiercest boss you can have. "Really, one day, one of your people will just murder you and your LOVELY photo will be the front page of New York Times mind you." He scoffed. =Yeah, yeah. Now, if you're done whining, I am busy. Talk to you later.= And the call was dropped. *Dong Hae wanted him to realize something.* He thought. But as dense as he can be, he still can figure it out. ***************************************************************************A/N: I was wondering, do you find it hard to relate to my story 'cause I tried to use another setting? I mean, New York's one place I am familiar with and I can be your tour guide with my eyes on blindfold. LOL! But just tell me if it's too much:) Or if there are things you don't understand. . .just ask!:) Thank you for reading! And leave comments please:)