“And this is the hospital you were talking about?”

“Yes. Now shut up.”

Jaejoong looked in the mirror, checking over his tie. His white shirt was pressed and crisp, with no sign of wrinkles, and his black suit jacket was immaculate. Gently fixing his hair, he pushed his bangs to the side and took off his earrings, placing them in a box. Making sure that he was presentable, especially because he was now responsible for representing his father's company, he turned to look at Jonghyun and sighed. 

“Is the dude that we’re meeting so important that you have to change your whole fashion style? I mean, come on, you always have at least seven holes in your ears.”

Jaejoong shot him a dirty look. “I feel like you’re insulting my fashion sense.”

The younger boy shrugged, and Jaejoong put his hand on his forehead, his temples throbbing. The stress of today had already built up, and the fact that Jonghyun wasn’t taking it seriously-although after a few moments he would-ticked him off. Jonghyun’s shirt was wrinkled and slightly stained with what looked like coffee, and his suit jacket looked frumpy-he was also wearing a bright red bow tie that looked so ridiculous with his outfit it almost made him laugh. Along with his unpolished shoes, torn black jeans, and silver studs in his ears, once his father caught sight of him, he’d have his head.  Motioning for him to come closer, Jaejoong grabbed him by the collar and growled so that only Jonghyun could hear him.

“It’s not a joke. Go and change.”

Jonghyun’s eyes widened and Jaejoong almost felt guilty, but before he could bite back his words, his younger brother had already made a beeline for the changing room. It wasn’t his fault that Jaejoong had been so cranky lately, but he’d been taking it out on him. The fact that his father was holding a press conference today didn’t make things any easier on him, either. They were ordered to be on their “best behaviour” and “dress appropriately,” and even Jaejoong had to make an appearance, which was rare. His father never liked to advertise his “adopted son.”

So what exactly could be going on?

Pushing open the door, and feeling satisfied with Jonghyun’s new clothes (a suit much like his) they walked down into the hall. Jaejoong could see that there were a bunch of reporters already seated, and his father and some other doctors on the board of directors were at the front. Their composed attitudes were seemingly unaffected by the immense taking of photos and the intense questioning, like they were used to it. If they attracted that much attention, Jaejoong knew that once he walked in, the reporters would instantly being snapping photos and shoving microphones at him.

“Jonghyun. You go in first, and sit in the row at the very back. Don’t say hello to the reporters, and if anyone asks, you’re another journalist. Whatever you do, don’t reveal your true identity. And I’ll be up on the platform, so don’t worry.”

He’d already considered this situation, and had brought a pad of paper and a pen. Shoving it into Jonghyun’s arms as his disguise, he pushed his younger brother into the hall. It caught the attention of the reporters, and his father’s eyes widened at the sight of his sibling, but when they saw the paper in his hands, they went back to asking the directors questions. Once he was sure that Jonghyun was seated, Jaejoong pushed open the doors and walked in himself.

Instantly, he was blinded by camera flashes.

“Jaejoong, do you know what this press conference is about?”

“How does it feel, being one of the best doctors in Korea’s son?”

“Is your scandal with actress Kim Jung Ah true?”

Walking up to the platform, he took a seat beside his father. A nametag was in front of everyone sitting at the front, and Jaejoong was no different. What made him curious, however, was that beside him there was a seat without a nametag. There were never empty seats at press conferences, and likewise, no surprises. Who else could be coming?

His father, however, interrupted his thoughts.

“Did you bring him?”

“Yes, father.”

“Good.”

His father settled back in his chair, looking amusedly at everyone around him. Sometimes he waved a bit, but his eyes were always straying to the back row. Jaejoong looked closer, and saw that Jonghyun showed no sign of fear or anxiety-even though he must be feeling like hell now. He’d make a pretty good actor, honestly, Jaejoong mused to himself. Looking back at his father, hoping that Jonghyun hadn’t attracted his attention yet, Jaejoong suddenly froze.

No-impossible. He couldn’t-right? What the hell?

Looking at his father in horror, realization suddenly dawned upon him.

♩ ♪ ♫ ♬