[T/N] I apologize for grammar mistakes and incoherencies
Special Chapter 15: Syntax Error #1.
[This plane will travel from London Heathrow Airport to San Diego International Airport, with an estimated arrival time of 11 hours and 46 minutes, and is expected to have a temperature of 24 degrees Celsius....]
The young woman hurriedly boarded the plane while listening to the captain’s announcement. Along the narrow aisle, apart from herself, there were only flight attendants walking back and forth. As for the passengers, they were all seated with their seat belts fastened.
“It’s a good idea to end up in Business Class. Otherwise, there is no hope of walking to the end of the plane.”
The young woman tied her blonde hair on her neck, slightly sweaty, before lifting her bag and placing it in the overhead compartment. As she was about to sit down, she caught the eye of the man sitting next to her.
The Asian man in a gray silk suit sat quietly, holding a notepad in his hand. The formal atmosphere combined with his open forehead, which revealed his hairline, made him look like a high-ranking businessman. But in reality, he was just an ordinary young man, with slightly powdered hair, before diverting his gaze back to the notepad. The young woman slowly took her seat.
The young woman sneakily glanced at the other side while he was jotting something down in the notepad with a leaking ink pen. Could he be a successful businessperson from a young age or the heir to a large corporation? Or perhaps he’s an unknown Korean or Hong Kong actor in Europe?
At that moment, the black ink pen slipped from his finger, falling to the floor and rolling to hit her shoe.
[Excuse me, can you hand it back to me?]
His voice was low and heavy, making it seem like he was a foreigner. But once she heard him speak, she realized he was an Englishman with a fluent RP [1] accent.
[Yes, sure.]
The young woman replied with a smile, extending a pen. Then her eyes, which were more brown than black, looked at him. And in an instant, the young man expressed his gratitude gently, but he didn’t show any interest in her, which was a pity.
‘He looks like a second-generation fortune teller, a high-ranking resident, fluent in 4 languages, a member of the Cricket Club [2], rides horses and yachts, and went to a prestigious school. Then he graduated from the Economics
Faculty of Cambridge University and is about to start working in the city.’
While the young woman brushes her long hair, the young man put his notepad and a soaked pen into his briefcase and took out a book, a newly published Japanese novel, a bestseller. It was just like the book she had in her handbag.
[I’m reading that book too.]
As she picked up the book and opened it to the page where she left off, she immediately heard a deep, soothing voice from the side.
[I don’t know if it has such a detailed portrayal of emotions that it becomes implausible. If it’s like that, I think I’ll stop reading.]
[The description by the author is so detailed and intricate, as if it perfectly portrays the emotions of the dog.]
[Thank you for saving my time.]
The young man closed the book and put it back in his bag. This time, he held a tablet in his hand and the young woman thought that maybe her playful guess about what he was doing in his free time might be correct.
[Are you going to do something in California?]
Upon hearing her question casually, the young man immediately replied without taking his eyes off the screen.
[I heard the news that my sibling who lives there is getting married.]
[That’s great news.]
The young man, who used to have a calm and cool expression, smiled slightly, with a sexy crease between his eyebrows, the young woman thought.
[No. It’s sad news because he is not suitable for the institution of marriage.]
[So, you decided to join the army to help your siblings from that scary system, huh?]
[Well, for now at least. I don’t know if it will go as planned.]
The young man continued to look at his tablet while asking the girl where she wanted to go. It seemed more like a polite question rather than a genuine curiosity, but either way, it was an opportunity to draw attention to himself.
The girl smiled playfully.
[It’s just a solo vacation, really. I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t even seen the sun or the moon. But, oh well. I guess looking at London’s boring sky won’t help either. So, I thought I’d go sunbathe on the beach alone for a week.]
[Sounds like a good daydream plan.]
Even though she had mentioned being single twice, it was still an acceptable response. She wondered if he was married and looked at his left hand, but there was no ring. So, she decided to take another chance and try her luck.
[Going to a beautiful place after being in a crowded city is like a good omen. My name is Susan.]
[Nice to meet you, I am Eric.]
She thought that was a name that matched well with her classic appearance. At the same time, the girl took out her business card and handed it to the other party. He was a neurosurgeon, a position that would definitely leave an impression. It was an opportunity not to be missed.
The man took the business card first, then took out a leather wallet from his inner suit pocket with a calm expression. When he opened the wallet halfway and revealed an expensive picture, the picture of him holding a girl, the young man checked his wallet and shrugged as if disappointed.
[Looks like I forgot to bring my business cards. I apologize.]
‘You already have a child!’
The girl felt disappointed but immediately gave in. Hoping that such a handsome man would still be single was looking at the world too positively from the start.
[Oh, it’s okay. I’m glad we had a chance to talk and exchange. I’m tired now. I guess I’ll have to rest my eyes for a while.]
The girl smiled as if nothing had happened and took a blindfold from the seat pocket in front of her.
***.
The young man folded his wallet and put it in his shirt pocket again. The photo that he intentionally kept always had a good effect. In addition, there are advantages different from a fake wedding ring that can be picked out and shown only when you want to show it, that’s it.
The girl in the picture is the four-year-old daughter of a Chinese colleague. Sometimes back, she might be ten years old now. The girl with her eyes covered and turned her face the other way is a beautiful girl with a brain, but for him, she is just a goal that he doesn’t belong to.
The young man, or Jaehong, doesn’t care about the opposite gender at all, even a little bit. At the age of sixteen, while his twin brother was pursuing a blonde girl in the same class because he wanted to be friends with her, Jaehong secretly liked the Arab boy in the next class.
He studied at an old private school in the United Kingdom, graduated from
Senior School with the top rank, graduated from the prestigious Economics faculty of a world-renowned university with second-class honors, and became the director of the most important risk management fund of a major bank in London’s financial district. Jaehong is a conservative and likes perfectionism, he has a cautious personality and only walks on suitable and appropriate paths.
He is well aware that his preference for the same gender is a weakness, but since he cannot change it, he accepts it and continues to live, but not in a way that is publicly revealed.
[Dating: 0 times.
Night Stand: Over 700 times.]
He often goes to crowded areas or tourist attractions, meets unfamiliar men from a distance, and doesn’t meet them for a second time. He also keeps his preferences tightly closed to the people around him. Not only with his father who would kick him out of the house as soon as he found out the truth, but also with his friends and co-workers. He keeps his secrets tightly with only one person in this world who knows the truth.
“Looking for someone? Sir?”
He had his first experience at the age of seventeen with a male student he didn’t know, even the name, in the bathroom of the dormitory. Jaehong was so distraught that he had to call his twin brother in Korea after hearing the story that he had sex with another male student. Jang Jaeyoung seemed amused.
“But what should I do? I’m busy, that’s it.”
Then the other party seemed disinterested. Although it was not the response he expected, Jaehong felt relieved as if he had been comforted by something that didn’t seem significant to the other party. And when he found out that Jaeyoung didn’t talk to his family about the secret he shared, he began to trust the other party.
Jaeyoung was a celebrity, always dating someone, and the partner changed every time he asked. He heard that Jaeyoung hadn’t been in a relationship for more than a year. When he saw that the other party had a clear problem, Jaehong felt relieved.
[Incoming call, Bebe.]
And then, seven years ago, Jaehong accidentally found out that Jaeyoung was dating a man at their uncle’s funeral.
The other party didn’t explain anything, but the voice he heard on the phone was clearly a man’s voice, after answering the call. Jaeyoung acted strangely, even though he had caused trouble several times, the other party still had a good relationship with his grandfather, who was not a man who allowed his beloved grandson to miss family gatherings.
Jaehong helped resolve the situation. At the same time, he wondered who that man was and what he said. Jang Jaeyoung had left everything and went to find the other party.
While busy with work, time passed. Jaehong focused on his work, got promoted twice, and made a lot of money from managing stocks for politicians and actors, writing columns in business magazines, and had engraved his name as ‘Portfolio Manager [3]’ and ‘Financial Analyst’ on his business card.
While Jaehong spent nights with many men he didn’t know, it seemed that Jaeyoung continued to date “Bebe,” who called him “Hyungnim” all the time.
All the information Jaehong knew about that man was that he was younger by less than two years, a programmer, good-looking, and friendly. When it came to a secret lover, Jaeyoung was too reserved to even speak about it. He wouldn’t even let anyone see his picture. Even though he reluctantly asked him to introduce him during the first two years, the other party adamantly refused.
‘No way, over my dead body.’
After they had been dating for three years. The other party kept making meaningless excuses, making even himself embarrassed.
‘Who? Oh, him? Seems like he went to work somewhere outside.’
‘He’s busy cleaning the keyboard. He couldn’t come out.’
‘He’s taking care of a sick cat.’
‘Watering the plants, busy.’
And then Jaehong, who wondered if the man his twin was in relationship with really existed, received shocking news as the hot summer of the eighth year approached.
[@gmystler.]
Jae, my good friend, is getting married in December. From next year onwards, I probably won’t have to listen to him brag about his boyfriend anymore, but instead, he will be bragging about his married husband!] It’s hard to believe the wedding news of my identical twin brother that he saw on the social media feed of the Hollywood actor, Jaehong immediately called Jaeyoung.
[What? Why are you calling?]
“Jang Jaeyoung, are you getting married?”
[The rumor has reached you too.]
“...”
[Don’t come.]
“Why?”
[Just kidding. If you come, um... wear a mask, don’t show your face.]
“Stop kidding... Are you really getting married?”
[Yes.]
“Please don’t tell me it is to that ‘man.’”
[Where else do I have another one? Busy, that’s all.] Jaehong was very surprised.
They were completely different, but maybe it was because they saw their parents separate badly, that they had the same attitude towards marriage. Jaehong was satisfied with occasional casual relationships from the beginning. While Jaeyoung didn’t restrict his dating with anyone, he also spoke without hesitation, saying, ‘Marriage is a trash system.’
Jaehong used to think that if one of them were to get married, that person would be willing to conform to social customs. Even though they didn’t like going to school the same way, while the younger brother endured and held back, the older brother opened the window and escaped outside.
“Are you going to get married then?”
Although Jaehong is more into one night stands than someone who has never been in a one night stand relationship before like Jang Jaeyoung, he is still far from being truly genuine. It’s hard to believe someone who easily gets bored with a relationship and is always looking for new excitement. Is he really thinking of getting married? That’s like being tied to one person for the rest of your life, like a dog with a collar around its neck.
[Yes, I’ve been in a relationship with one man for seven years. It’s surprising, right?]
“Tell me straight, what is your weak point?”
After the question from Jaehong over the phone and his serious inquiry, Jaeyoung burst into laughter for a while.
[Weak point, huh... I’ve been caught red-handed.]
Then he went on to talk about other things. While Jaehong listened to his words, he realized that he had solved a mystery he had been wondering about.
“Let’s meet and talk later, I’ll come find you.”
[What about you?]
“Haven’t moved yet, right?”
[Is it for real? I’ll be working until today. Starting tomorrow, I’ll have some time off. Not busy anymore.]
“Keep yourself available tomorrow afternoon.”
[Fine, do whatever you want.]
As soon as they hung up, Jaehong bought a ticket immediately and now he’s flying to save the life of his stepbrother, as the woman laying next to him mentioned, because he doesn’t know what happened to Jang Jaeyoung’s brain that he will make the most evil and foolish decision ever made, without anyone else’s advice.
First, he has to meet and analyze the situation realistically. What weak point has been caught? How wicked is the other person’s character, and how strong is the determination of the opposite side? What does he need to propose to make the other side stop and retreat? If that video or evidence is exposed, there will be some headaches, but Jaehong knows many lawyers who are capable enough to easily solve complicated problems.
‘I will help you myself, Jang Jaeyoung.’
Jaehong was struggling with himself. The only other person he felt good with was his blood relative, the other part that would be linked to him until the day he died, and the friend who kept his secrets. As long as he could help that person, Jaehong would do everything.
________________________________________.
[1] RP, “Received Pronunciation.” Standard accent in spoken English in Britain, characterized by a relatively clear articulation, commonly used in radio stations like the BBC.
[2] Cricket. It is a team sport played with 11 players per team, with one person designated as the bowler who throws the ball towards the three stumps placed on the field, called wickets. The team in batting is called the batsman, who tries to score runs by hitting the ball and running between the wickets until the fielders, who are the defending team, can retrieve the ball.
[3] Portfolio Manager = Investment Portfolio Manager.
Syntax Error, an error that occurs due to incorrect formatting or grammar of a programming language.
Special Chapter 16: Syntax Error #2.
They agreed to meet between the airport and Jaeyoung’s house, even though it was supposed to be in the middle, according to the map, it was very close to Jaeyoung’s house. However, the other party did not arrive on time, causing Jaehong to wait for almost an hour.
Jaehong was at an outdoor cafe, drinking espresso under the sun shining down on his head. In the meantime, he sent three emails to clients and talked on the phone with high-level executives of an insurance company.
- [But Mister Jang, I heard that you took a vacation... I wonder if I misunderstood.]
[I did take a vacation, but there is still some time remaining.]
- [Haha, you’re still as dedicated as ever. Where did you go on your trip?]
[I am on the west coast of America.]
- [Sounds like a place with great weather.]
While Jang Jaeyoung was about to answer, Jaeyoung arrived. Although the windshield was tinted and made it difficult to see the driver’s face, it was clear that there was someone driving - a red Ferrari Superfast parked by the small coffee shop.
[I guess I have to hang up now. If you have any other business, please send me an email.]
- [Okay! Have fun on your hot holiday.]
Jaehong hung up the phone and looked at his twin brother who had just gotten out of a high-performance sports car with a long hood.
They hadn’t seen each other for a year. The other side still looked the same. Jaeyoung was wearing a white button-down shirt with rolled-up sleeves that reached his elbows and beige shorts, with half of his face hidden behind sunglasses. He wondered why the other side always dressed so elegantly, but of course, his brother was wearing turquoise loafers.
Jaeyoung raised his arm over his shoulder to lock his car with the key. Then he walked towards Jaehong with an emotionless face.
‘Hollywood Star came on its own.’
The onlookers from the nearby table, who used to eye Jaehong, were now drawn in the opposite direction. Jaehong felt used to this feeling because even though they looked alike, Jaeyoung always attracted attention from people since they were kids.
Jaehong was quite reserved, unlike his twin brother who enjoyed attention from others. He was the type who knew how to attract attention and use it. When they were kids, they had to move frequently due to their dad’s job. No matter which country they went to, the other side could quickly learn the language and make other kids become like his groupies. That boy grew up to be a topic of conversation wherever he went.
When they heard that he would study abroad, Jaehong thought the other side would remain quiet for a while, but it turned out not to be the case. Jang Jaeyoung worked as an album cover designer for a hip-hop artist and became a star designer. His non-traditional album cover, which used symbols that could be interpreted in many ways, became a scorching subject of discussion and even caused controversies, parodies, art, and more. It was considered the most problematic artwork of the year. Even the New York Times and Times were caught and dragged into the mud, asking, ‘Is this art or vulgarity?’ Eventually, the President of the United States made a condemnation comment on social media, causing the issue to spread worldwide like a wildfire, and the result was an intelligent rapper who had been anonymous for a long time rising to the top of the Billboard charts. Meanwhile, Jaeyoung was named the
‘Most Eye-Catching Graphic Designer of the Year.’
Jaeyoung increased his worth with personal projects and occasionally participated in exhibitions. After completing his master’s degree, he worked for a branding company and is currently an art director, receiving attention for his outstanding works, such as designing logos for famous sports brands, changing the NBA team logos, and more.
“Don’t you have any work to do?”
The arrogant graphic designer who had a good background and made good fortune whispered as he took off his sunglasses, his eyes wanting to see the side face of the other party. However, Jaeyoung sat down opposite Jaehong without paying the slightest attention and opened his mouth wide.
“Didn’t you sleep?”
“I just came back from Copenhagen three hours ago, so I’m dying.”
“You could have slept on the plane.”
“I was watching a movie.”
“I guess we should meet at the airport.”
“I really want to see something at home, even if I don’t get to see it.”
Jaeyoung wiped away the remaining tears from the corners of his eyes before placing his cell phone, wallet, car keys, and something in a white envelope on the table. He called for a waiter and ordered a Caffè Americano with lots of ice, and carelessly handed a white envelope with his index and middle fingers. The far right corner was written with a chicken scratch that was difficult to read even with good vision.
[Jang Jae-Hong.]
Jaehong opened the envelope and frowned. When he opened the white background card, he found the names of the two grooms, the wedding date, and a rough map.
“Why did you print the invitation cards?”
“They got prepared two years ago.”
“...”
“My partner is very meticulous in preparing everything.”
“The design doesn’t seem suitable for you.”
“It wasn’t like this at first, I’ve revised it twelve times.”
Is it too late to turn back? Jaehong looked deep into Jaeyoung’s eyes, but the other party seemed reluctant and looked only tired and pathetic.
“Man, you don’t seem to be looking forward to it.”
“I’ve been engaged for five years and have been preparing for two years. I’m not impressed with anything special anymore.”
Jaeyoung looked at his nails and casually replied with a white gold ring with small embedded diamonds on his fourth finger.
“Not yet.”
Six months? Jaehong evaluated the remaining time in his mind.
Jaehong’s coworker broke off the engagement two days before the wedding. No. Let’s not talk about the distant past. The fiance of the man Jaehong fell for suddenly appeared at the dormitory when he and that man were becoming intimate with each other. When they went back and forth, he found out that the apartment was a dormitory where the couple would move in together in a month, after the wedding. And they broke off the wedding without looking pretty in front of Jaehong.
While he was considering what to say, Jaeyoung’s ringtone suddenly became louder. Jaeyoung quickly answered the call and used both hands to hold the communication device close to his ear.
“Oh, are you home?”
Jaehong squinted at his twin brother as if he were a stranger.
“Really? It was quiet there. Oh, and now I’m so exhausted as if I’m about to die. Hurry up and come help me quickly. Oh, someone asked me to come out and meet him for a moment. Didn’t you see the message? Did you see it? It’s a friend whom you don’t know, well... really.”
The other person raised their eyebrows and glanced at Jaehong before quickly looking back at the table.
“Well, tell you the truth, he is a friend named Eric... the financial manager I met when we went to work in Berlin, that English guy.”
Jang Jaeyoung’s condition was worse off than he had imagined. Even though he might say it himself, he had to be caught one day, but he thought it was a joke. The other person must have held some vulnerable point to impress him like that. And furthermore, ‘the financial manager who is an English person’, is that so? Even though it’s not a lie, that’s not the best description either.
“Well, are you coming back soon? I want to see you soon.”
Jaeyoung spoke like an idiot with a stupid face. Then, when he puts down the phone, he looks at the cone and criticizes it.
“Really curious.”
As soon as he puts the phone on the table, the background image appears immediately, a picture of Jaeyoung hugging ‘that man’ from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder. That man is wearing sunglasses, making his face unclear. In addition, Jaeyoung covers the top section of the person’s arm with a towel, making it impossible to know what the shape is. Judging from the legs, it can only be guessed that ‘that man’ figure is thin.
“What are you looking at?”
Jaeyoung reached out his hand to lock the screen, Jaehong reluctantly looked at the black screen unable to speak.
“We... aren’t going to the sea, right?”
When they were eight, they played at the seaside and almost died together. After that, both of them developed aquaphobia and Jaehong never dreamed of playing in the water by the beach or bathing in the tub again. Jaeyoung responds carelessly.
“I conquered it six years ago.”
“Did you undergo therapy?”
“No, I just wanted to see him in a swimsuit. So, I couldn’t help it.”
“...”
“I even surfed.”
“You... surf? On the water?”
“Yes, well, here it is, Scuba Dive Running, have you heard of it?”
Jaeyoung sighed heavily once again and grabbed something from his pants pocket, a vape, that’s it. The man in front of Jaehong seems to be more unfamiliar every time.
“Are you going to quit smoking?”
“Not to that extent.”
“Then... why?”
“Stop making it a habit, once a year.”
“...”
Jaeyoung blinked slowly and then took a puff of his e-cigarette. Meanwhile, drinks were being served. A male staff placed plastic cups on the tray on the table. There was a Spanish-looking young man who seemed to be in his early twenties and looked sexually provocative, but Jaeyoung didn’t even glance at him. Instead, Jaehong tried to take his gaze away from the staff and looked at Jaeyoung.
“Throughout these seven years...have you really only been dating that one man?”
“Yes.”
“You’ve never broken up even once?”
“Like a high-speed train in a sleeper.”
“Never looked at anyone else?”
“What? Chu Sangwoo is not that daring.”
“No, I mean you.”
“What? Are you saying that I will definitely die like that or be imprisoned for life?”
Jaeyoung’s face turned pale and his body trembled. Jaehong lowered his voice, pressed the volume down, and called the other person’s name softly.
“Jang Jaeyoung.”
“What?”
“Just tell me what weakness you have been trapped in. I’ve come to help you.”
Jaeyoung sprayed the coffee he had just drunk out. Jaehong looked at the ceiling, wiped his mouth with a cloth, wiped his mobile phone and arm with his gaze. After the small but chaotic incident passed, Jaeyoung’s lips curled into a smile, unable to speak.
“So, you’ve come on a vacation, haven’t you? I’m just playing around.”
“Haa?”
“But it’s not just a fling.”
“So what is it?”
“Because I was captured by the weakness called a heart.”
He wondered if the man sitting across from him, with a red face while sipping coffee, was really his older brother. While Jaeyoung quietly looked at his watch, Jaehong sighed and pulled his hair in frustration.
Unreasonable anger and suppressed emotions engulfed him. If he wasn’t pressured to get married, it would mean Jaeyoung chose that man himself. It would be normal for someone else to help with marriage after being together with someone for a long time and being accustomed to it. But Jang Jaeyoung, whom Jaehong knew, was the type of person who didn’t want to do it. No matter what method, Jaehong refused to do it.
“Why are you dating that man?”
“It’s embarrassing to talk about it.”
“There must be a reason, right? I don’t understand.”
Jaehong couldn’t believe it. The fact that the person in front of him had been dating only one person for so long, and that he planned to get married without even the slightest resistance. Jaeyoung shrugged and answered.
“There’s nothing special, just... he’s cute.”
“His appearance?”
When Jaehong laughed mockingly, the other party spoke nonchalantly.
“Our personalities match well. Besides that, there’s something else... actions, ways of thinking, tone of voice, way of speaking, atmosphere, gaze. Even in terms of cleanliness, he’s good. Altogether, he’s just cute.”
“...”
“Sometimes, I’m surprised when I see him beside me. Oh, that kid, he’s unbelievably cute.”
Jaehong was greatly impacted mentally, but he pretended not to feel anything and casually asked.
“Hey, if you date someone else for the first time, you might change your mind.”
“That’s not the case. Besides, it’s already too late.”
“What do you mean by ‘too late’?”
“I’ve already said it. If you want to quit, you have to exchange it with your life.”
Jaeyoung smiled casually while sipping coffee, looking unlike someone who speaks in a serious tone. The other person’s eyes curved into a mischievous smile.
“Sounds like a joke, huh? Well, it’s not. I’m serious.”
Once he thought that Jaeyoung, who lived according to his own desires, was cool. However, now he has changed from aggressive investing to a safer investment approach. Jaehong couldn’t stand the fact that Jaeyoung, who used to live a remarkable life, had become mediocre.
“So, you’re just like the others.”
Although Jaeyoung pondered the question, Jaehong considered it an acceptance.
“Even if it’s you, you should give the other party a chance to play with another man.”
Jaeyoung’s eyes narrowed slightly, as if he was in a daze. The other person stared at Jaehong silently before finally breaking the ice.
“Did you mistakenly eat the upper part of the machine or something?”
Jaehong easily noticed the caution from that fierce expression. Now he understood why Jang Jaeyoung had kept his love hidden to such an extent. He laughed instinctively.
“You’re not confident enough, huh?”
“What?”
“You’re afraid that he won’t care about you if he sees me and so you won’t introduce us, right?”
Jaeyoung looked at Jaehong calmly, substituting his answer with a cold gaze. Jaehong returned the gaze challengingly.
“Why hide him like that? What would I do if he actually cares about me?”
“...”
“For me, a throuple is not a problem.”
Special Chapter 17: Syntax Error #3.
The once straight lips twisted in a mocking manner, but his cold eyes remained still. Jaeyoung took a deep breath as if he had just heard something pointless before speaking slowly, but with intimidation hidden within.
“I’ve been patient this whole time because I see you as part of the family.
Jaehong, ah, but there won’t be a second time.”
“And if it’s not because of the family?”
“Fund Manager [1] J, a hypothetical name, sexually harassed his engaged brother’s fiance before being murdered and sent to the emergency room.”
“...”
“Would you like to appear on TV?”
Jaeyoung appeared to be unconscious. When Jaehong pulled back his chair slightly, his watchful eyes followed him immediately.
“I’m already exhausted and annoyed, and you come here. Why?”
The atmosphere seemed like it would explode if it continued like this, so Jaehong decided it would be best to tell the truth.
“I came to cancel the wedding.”
Jaeyoung frowned, and Jaehong looked straight into the eyes of his twin brother and said.
“Step back before it gets messier than this, Jang Jaeyoung.”
“What?”
“Don’t get married.”
“Why?”
Jaeyoung’s face turned pale and surprised. While Jaehong spoke with a cutting tone.
“You, you used to say that marriage is a ‘shackles’, right? Now, I don’t know why you’ve changed your mind, but does it seem fitting? Just a normal relationship or a wedding that everyone does.”
“...”
“Hey idiot, you stray dog, just because you’re given a leash doesn’t mean you turn into a house dog. Do you really think someone who has experienced freedom would willingly give up their single life? Not me. Stop doing things that don’t align with who you really are and go back to being the boss you used to be.”
Jaeyoung sat listening with a tense expression before bursting into laughter when Jaehong finished speaking. This time, it wasn’t mocking laughter, but it seemed to be more genuinely amused laughter.
“Do you think I’m the boss?”
“What do you mean?”
“Whether I get married or not, it doesn’t mean I’ll be single.”
“...”
“Don’t you understand? I’ve been wearing this ‘collar’ that says ‘Chu
Sangwoo’ right here for seven years now.”
“That’s exactly why I’m telling you to take it off.”
“I have a tattoo too. Look.”
“No. Don’t.”
“Look, it’s really beautiful.”
“I already told you no.”
Jaeyoung made an attempt to show the initials of his partner’s name as a tattoo, so he had to restrain himself. The other party leaned back in the chair and lit an e-cigarette once again.
“Okay, well... even though you’re doing something useless, you flew here for my happiness. That’s impressive. I’ll consider it a congratulations on our wedding.”
“Agreed. Did I come here for nothing?”
“It’s for my partner. Even if a nuclear bomb falls in the next five minutes, I can still organize a wedding by having someone officiate the ceremony immediately. You’re not the type of person who can ruin that.”
The other party smirked with a nonchalant face and blew out smoke, Jaehong even forgot what he wanted to say for a moment.
Jang Jaeyoung never once expressed a desire to get married, as if he himself didn’t want to get married to that extent, but because of the strong desire of his partner and because Jaeyoung himself didn’t want any problems with the other party, he reluctantly agreed to get married, which Jaehong didn’t like that image at all.
“Have you ever wondered why he is so obsessed with getting married?”
“It’s just his nature.”
“Don’t you ever think that you are being used?”
“Used? For what?”
“For example, money.”
Jaeyoung laughed and then sighed before reluctantly responding.
“That kid has a lot of money, you know. You should see the amount he has saved up as capital for his wedding. It’s really scary...” Then he sighed again.
Getting married is a business, and trusting the other party without considering the risks is something that should be prohibited. Jaehong, who knew Jaeyoung well and could analyze the benefits and disadvantages in joint ventures, sometimes the other party might change their mind, but because they didn’t see each other often, he didn’t notice.
Jaehong just sighed at his older brother, not really thinking anything. He wanted to leave London and let him know and suffer, but his sense of responsibility kept him from doing so.
“If I am confident that I can ruin the wedding, what would you do?”
“You?”
The indifferent gaze of Jaeyoung destroyed his pride.
The fact that two people who went to the same university happened to be in a relationship was a common occurrence. If you date someone first, now the person next to you may be someone else. Love? Dating to understand each other? They are just faint images that can easily be shattered with a little external force.
“Give me a chance, I’ll handle it myself.”
That cute guy, the man who destroyed Jaeyoung’s main pride and turned him into a foolish person, Jaehong was blindly and unreasonably in love with him. Jaehong was confident that he could destroy that wrong understanding.
“And while talking, there must be no one around.”
“So, should I let you two fight each other?”
It shouldn’t take long to relax like that, but Jaeyoung looked calm and quiet.
Jaehong had previously destroyed wedding work after being caught having a relationship with the groom while undressing the bride, and there was nothing he couldn’t do. In fact, he was the most suitable man for this job. He just didn’t have much experience with dating anyone before. But for one-night stands, he had countless experiences. He had a talent for seducing the opposite party on the opposite night, whether they were playful, sophisticated, smart, or foolish, he had no exceptions.
The couple had been dating for seven years, but from what Jaehong had seen from the people around them, at this point, all there was left was boredom and indifference. Jang Jaeyoung’s lover is only a man, a student who graduated from a prestigious Korean university, an engineer at a reputable company, who had the ability to estimate in an instant. If he saw someone getting married with deceit, could Jang Jaeyoung still remain calm?
“You have misunderstood for a long time, Jaehong.”
“About what?”
“That’s why I didn’t let you meet Sangwoo until now. Not because I was afraid that he would fall in love with you.”
Jaehong felt like his thoughts were being read. Jaeyoung stared at him and continued to speak.
“I don’t like that kid looking at other people. If you show up, he will have to look at you with surprise, and I’m sure I won’t feel good... So, I just avoid it.”
“...”
“Instead of thinking about seeing that situation in the ceremony, it would be better to deal with it and finish it.”
Jaeyoung asked with a relaxed posture.
“How long do you need?”
“What do you think?”
“I will let you meet one-on-one, whether you want to bribe or tease, it’s up to you.”
He wondered if he had heard correctly.
“Are you serious?”
Jaeyoung paused with a neutral face, not seeming to be playing around, just like when he allowed Jaehong to create chaos in our long-lasting relationship without any responsibility. Jaehong seized the opportunity without hesitation.
“Until midnight tonight.”
“You rascal has no conscience.”
“...”
“You haven’t seen him for a whole week. How dare you hold on until dawn?”
Jaeyoung opened his mouth wide, afraid that it would tear before he could speak again.
“I’ll give you two hours, do whatever you want.”
“Two... hours? Do whatever I want?”
“Or not.”
Jaehong reached out for the other arm as if to stand up and pulled him back down onto the chair.
Deceiving an engaged man who has been dating for a long time within a two-hour period. Although it’s not easy, this is the only way to destroy Jaeyoung’s firm belief in his loved one.
“Understood.”
Immediately, Jaeyoung relaxed.
“Conditions.”
“What?”
“No touching. No, don’t get closer than fifty centimeters.”
It’s a narrow-minded condition, but just accepting it is enough... If avoiding getting close is the condition, then just make the other party come closer, isn’t it? Jaehong has deceived foreigners with his eyes without saying anything countless times.
“Prohibited from using computers, prohibited from requesting or repairing any machinery equipment.”
Even though I may not understand the purpose, it is not a difficult condition. Jaehong waits for the next words.
“Prohibited from forcing with any alcohol that Chu Sangwoo refuses.”
Jang Jaeyoung, who had previously said to do as I wish, gradually added more restrictions before my turn arrived.
“No response, huh.”
“What?!”
“If you violate even one condition, you will die by my hands. Understand?”
“I know.”
“And I’m saying this for your own good...”
“What?”
“Don’t think he’s easy because he looks cute? Well, that’s a black belt martial artist and a captain in the reserve army of the army. He runs very fast.”
“...”
Jaeyoung picked up the phone, and after the background image of the sea appeared, he opened the contact list and dialed the latest number. The loud volume made the sound of waiting for the call be heard outside slightly. Jaehong didn’t have the leisure to eavesdrop on phone conversations with villagers, but he subtly moved his chair closer and listened with great curiosity.
The waiting tone lasted three times before the call was answered.
[Hello.]
The sound at the other end of the line sounded solid like a stubborn person, but Jaeyoung didn’t react as if this sound was normal.
“Sangwoo, I’m starting work now. I have to go to work for a while.”
[What kind of work?]
“It seems that the project we agreed on that Glenn will take care of will be handed over to me according to the client’s request. He scheduled a meeting to pass on the documents and explain them to me before going on vacation.”
At the end of the line, Jaehong quietly picked up his coffee cup and tapped the edge of his lips, but his attention was focused on the side.
[If I suspect that you don’t want to burden yourself and sneak out to play, Then I must do the same too, right?]
“So in other words you have a deep imagination.”
Jaeyoung grabbed the phone, squeezing it tightly in his hand.
“Sangwooya, my little brother, Jang Jaehong.”
[Oh, ‘that person who looks like an old man’, what else?]
“I don’t know about that. He’s secretly listening to our phone conversation right now, you know.”
[...]
“Seems like he is here on vacation.”
[Wait, earlier you said you were meeting Eric.]
“Although it’s hard to believe, they’re both here.”
[Exactly, it’s just an accidental encounter?]
“Uh, um.. I have to go to the company, so could you show him around here a bit?”
[Really? Should I introduce myself?]
Finished with a question concealed by excitement, Jaeyoung’s face appeared slightly absent-minded. It seemed that normally, he would enthusiastically introduce Jaehong as well. Jaeyoung gritted his teeth and spoke.
“Of course, I’ll introduce him. It’s my ‘little brother’ here for love, and also, ‘family’, just like you.”
[Then why did you say he didn’t want to come until now?]
“That’s my business.”
[Okay, when should I go out to meet him then?]
As soon as he heard the young man ask anxiously, Jaeyoung replied with a slightly dissatisfied manner.
“Yeah.”
[How can I go now? Shouldn’t I get ready first?]
“What do you need to prepare? Do you want to do makeup?”
[We need to plan the travel itinerary in advance.]
Jaeyoung’s previously gloomy expression slightly eased.
“I told you, the downside of love is being too kind-hearted. Just taking him to see the places he should see is enough.”
[I wonder if following the local way of life can fulfill the expectations of tourists.]
“There’s a tour package you arranged for when your parents and sister came. Uncle.”
[At that time, there were five people in the group. If we include me and you, there would be seven people.]
“Myself.”
[Huh?]
“Jaehong said he’ll handle himself. Come here first.”
[...]
“Come just as you are. No need to change clothes. I won’t comb my hair.”
[Send the location via text message.] “Click.” And the line was cut.
________________________________________.
[1] Fund Manager.