Reunion (1/1)

"Y-Yunnie? OH GOD." Before Jae Joong could stop himself, he dashed to Yun Ho's side, examining him of any injury, startling the latter effectively. "Are you okay?" Then he noticed that Yun Ho was staring at him, dumbfounded. "Uh, s-sorry!" He let go of his arm and dropped both of his own to his sides. "I--you--I'm--""It's alright. It's just a minor fender bender." Yun Ho cut him off, ending his useless sputter. "How about you, are you okay?" Jae Joong nodded feebly, picking his box up from the pavement. He remembered the important meeting he had to go to and started hailing a cab again."Jae, wait." Jae Joong looked up, feeling awkward. Yun Ho turned to the cab driver once again. "Let the insurance companies take care of this, okay? Here's my insurance card and my business card." He handed the cab driver his contact information before getting in his own car. He stopped in front of Jae Joong. "Where to?" It was rush hour and it was difficult to get a cab. He was trying to convince himself that it was the only reason."B-Brooklyn.""Get in. I'll take you." He opened the car door for him."No, I don't--" Jae Joong didn't want to impose. Especially on his ex-boyfriend."It's getting late." Yun Ho's tone let Jae Joong know that he had no choice. He got in wordlessly and savored the smell of the familiar car. It was still the same AmbiPur Harmony Warm Vanilla that he bought for him. He wanted to smile at the thought."Thank you. I really need to go to this meeting." He started."No problem. Are you sure you're okay? I can take you to the hospital." He fought the urge to do what Jae Joong just did earlier."No, no! I'm fine, really." He fastened his seatbelt after putting his box carefully at the backseat, assessing himself quietly that he really was not injured. Awkward silence remained after that.Yun Ho can't stand the dead air anymore after almost half an hour. "What happened to your car?" Yun Ho asked casually."The usual." Jae Joong laughed a bit and before Yun Ho could react, the former's stomach grumbled."Err, mian." This was embarrassing, he thought. He closed his eyes tightly, not wanting to see Yun Ho's reaction. Yun Ho chuckled lightly and reached over for the glove compartment."Those are yours, I believe." His hands were back to the steering wheel. Jae Joong was more than delighted to see the familiar stash of Toblerones and pretzels and Skittles. His eyes brightened and Yun Ho didn't have to invite him twice. He opened the large bar of chocolate and chomped on it.Every given weekend since they had their own jobs to support themselves, they would go grocery shopping and since Jae Joong wouldn't stop talking unless he's eating (oh, and he's more talkative when he's hungry), Yun Ho thought it would be best if he'll put some of the snacks in the car too. He just didn't have the chance to dispose of it yet."I didn't have lunch today, crazy day." As he munched on the pitiful Toblerone. He started to ease up, thinking that distressing about the scenario won't help."I see that you got a new job.""Ah, yeah. . ." He can't say that he's had this job since a year ago. "Jun Su and I started this small company.""I see." They were treading the Brooklyn Bridge now. "Where do I take you again?" And surprisingly, he didn't want to end this unexpected rendezvous with Jae Joong yet but wouldn't admit it even if his life depended on it."River Cafe." Yun Ho froze.[flashback]"Yunnie, are you going to marry me in the future?" An eighteen year old Jae Joong asked gingerly, playing with his collar. They were at the Brooklyn Bridge Park, watching the magnificent sunset."What would I do in this world if I'm not going to marry you?" He replied readily and that earned a kiss from Jae Joong."Then would you save enough for us to have a grand wedding there?" He pointed across the river to the legendary River Cafe. It was a haven perched inside a well-tended garden that's very rare in Manhattan. It provides a breathtaking view of the city as well as the Brooklyn Bridge. It was known for its exclusivity and special chocolate dessert shaped like the bridge itself. Yun Ho laughed."I think I would die saving for that very expensive wedding you have in mind." Jae Joong pouted. "Is that the reason why didn't want us to dine there?""Yep. I want our first to be memorable.""Memorable indeed. I think we would have to wash the dishes after that." Their hearty laughter shooed the pigeons in the park away.[end of flashback]He navigated Water Steet carefully. It was a busy everyday with cars and pedestrians alike. The dented Maserati gained not a few gasps from the people who noticed and Yun Ho gritted his teeth. It could have been worse and Jae Joong could have been hurt.Jae Joong, on the other hand, was thinking about the same thing and felt a lump dislodging his throat. Good thing that he can almost see the restaurant brimming with patrons waiting to be seated. "I think I'll get off here. It would be difficult for you to park there." He fumbled for his seatbelt, feeling claustrophobic all of a sudden. Yun Ho pulled over. "Thank you so much!" He walked-ran to the restaurant and faked a smile when the maitre'd greeted him.*****************************************************************************"Ms. Bloomberg?" He greeted, he was fifteen minutes late and was worried that she has left already. You don't make the mayor's daughter wait anyway."JJ! Oh God. Are you okay?" She stood up and hugged him, genuine concern was visible on her face. *Right, how many times to I have to hear that line today?* He thought sardonically. He texted Georgina that he got into a little accident and would be late by a few minutes. And by her stature, he was quite surprised she would be this down-to-earth."I'm fine, thank you." He nodded to the waiter that pulled the chair for him."Jae Joong-ah." He looked up to see Yun Ho carrying his box full of brochures and catalogues and sample fabrics. "You forgot these.""Oh, you must be the boyfriend!" Georgina squealed even before Jae Joong could say anything. "You must be really proud of JJ! My fiance was apprehensive of getting a rookie to take care of our wedding but when I told him JJ put up the 21 Club's opening party, he just have to agree. I mean, it was the coolest party ever! What am I saying?" She laughed daintily. "I'm sure you were there to witness it." She babbled on. Jae Joong was glued on his seat, speechless."No. Actually, I wasn't." There's an edge on Yun Ho's voice. He remembered that night clearly. The whole West 52nd Street (where 21 Club's located) seemed to be in an upbeat mood. It was the launching party of the newest restaurant in town, 21 Club. Since it was owned by a certified social butterfly, Dolly Berns, it created such a ruckus in the New York high society. The Russian Samovar Restaurant, where he was, that was usually full of people, was kind of gloomy. He can perfectly see the party unfold right across the street and was wondering what was taking Jae Joong so long. He reached for his inner pocket and made sure (for the nth time) that he has the ring with him and waited nervously.But Jae Joong never showed up."Ms. Bloomberg, we got your father on the phone. He said he can't reach you on your cell phone." Said a waiter. Georgina excused herself, oblivious to the tension between the two. Yun Ho placed the box on the table with trembling hands and left. But not after giving Jae Joong a long piercing gaze.Jae Joong recoiled. "Yun Ho-ah. . ." He called but Yun Ho was already gone.******************************************************************************A/N: I'm making use of my literary license (wow, LOL) as a writer. I wrote here that 21 Club's a new restaurant but it's been around for almost a century now. It's just that it's one of my most favorite restaurants in the planet. I have a lot of wonderful memories there. If you guys would visit NYC, it's a must that you dine there. And River Cafe too! And Georgina Bloomberg's a real person, by the way. And she's basically the character she plays in the story.21 Club: www.sevenstarsandstripes.com/newsletter/newsletter36/21Club-NewYork.jpg citybutler.com/images/21club.jpgRiver Cafe's view from the inside: farm1.static.flickr.com/175/389527058_2f7a133d4b.jpg?v=0River Cafe's exterior:

travellingboard.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/07/river-cafe-in-new-york.jpg