[CONTENTID2] Foreshadow [/CONTENTID2]

warning: this chapter is really long, its like 25 pages in word lol. 

[CONTENTID1]

“Yunho! What the hell! Why did you have my recorder?!”

What the hell was I supposed to tell him? That I was suspicious of him?  I froze in my spot, not willing to move a single inch, in response to Jaejoong’s sudden confrontation.

“I…I” I croaked, darting my eyes back and forth, desperate to find a reasonable answer. “I only listened to one file…”

What a bunch of lies Jung Yunho.

“Don’t. Ever. Touch. It,” he gnarled, spewing out his anger.

The pits of my stomach lurched as I lost myself in the wrath of Jaejoong’s spiteful, unforgiving gaze. His knuckles grew prominent as he tightened his grip on the recorder.

Before I could explain myself, Jaejoong spun around, consuming the walls in tremors as he stomped towards his room. He pulled out the key and unlocked the room, soon leaving my sight.

The short-lived silence ended with a big, unexpected thud as Jaejoong slammed the door, causing me to jump in my seat.

I understood his reasons for keeping that recorder out of my reach. It had too much secrets. Too much information that was dangerous for both my sanity and my health.

In a span of fifteen minutes, I gathered ten years’ worth of information. I was aware that it wasn’t all of it, but that fact kept my blood circulating.

In order to maintain Jaejoong and I’s relationship, I needed to play dumb. Jaejoong was no longer a want, but a necessity. He was the missing puzzle piece in the midst of fragments.

~~

“Yunho-hyung! Where are you going?!” my younger brother asked. The blinding hue from the fire hindered my abilities to see him, although I sensed the worriedness in his voice.

“I…I have to save our omma! And…and Jaejoong!!”

“Yunho!”

I broke free from my little brother’s clasp as I turned to the hallway.

“Changmin-ah! Go without me!!”

“Hyung!!”

“Go!!” I yelled.

Peering over my shoulder, Changmin followed my orders as he sprints to the exit. I covered my mouth, hoping it could block the smoke from invading my chest.

. I couldn’t see in anything. The fire made everything in my sight indistinguishable, causing me to squint harder. The sweltering heat triggered my senses as sweat dripped from my head.

“Omma!!” I yelled, yearning for my stepmother’s voice as I pushed the master bedroom open.

To my horror, the room was swallowed in the fire’s raging glow. Not a single person could be spotted.

A bark of wood creaked, soon crashing to the ground as it yielded to the blaze. Knowing that my step-mother was dead brought great pain to my heart, adding weight to my burdens.

I’m sorry omma…I’m sorry I couldn’t repay your kindness during your time here.

“Jaejoong-ah!! Where are you?!!” I yelled.

To my estimation, there were four more doors ahead of us. With each staggering step, I slowly drew myself to the study room, motivating myself to the possibility of Jaejoong’s survival.

“!!!” I screamed as my hand made contact with the scorching metal. I promised Jaejoong I wouldn’t swear anymore, but I couldn’t help myself.

Second by second, my body was weakening to the smoke flooding my lungs, but the anticipation of seeing him somewhat numbed the torturous pain.  

Overlooking the shelves, the sight of a human arm slumped over the desk. I dragged my feet, battling  the roaring blaze as I made my way past the bookshelves.

Glass cracked as I crushed my soles onto the bottles blocking my path. What the hell? Why were there alcohol bottles on the ground?

“Jaejoong!” I yelled.

Jaejoong was unconscious in the chair. To my surprise, a cigarette was lodged in between his fingers.

What the hell? Jaejoong never smoked. Why did he have a cigarette?

There’s no time to ponder, I had to take action.

“Jaejoong-ah!!” I yelled, shaking his arm in hopes to waken him.

“Hyung!!”

The familiar sound of his voice startled me, causing me to pull away from the desk as I witness my dongsaeng trotting to my direction.

“Changmin…What are you doing here?!! I told you get ou…” I croaked.

“Oh my god Jaejoong Hyung!!”

“We have to get him out!!” I cried, hoisting Jaejoong’s arm as I took his body in my possession.

“Why does he have a cigarette in his hand?!! Perhaps…did he…”

“Changmin! We have no time to talk about this!! Let’s get out!!” I screamed, fixating my eyes to the exit.  

Like a fish escaping the water’s familiarity, I gaped in the midst of darkness, letting out a loud gasp.

That dream…no that nightmare left me with millions of questions, along with an influx of answers. It was a new sequel in addition to the saga of dreams. Those dreams ended with a cliff-hanger, failing to conclude properly.

Possibilities of that dream not being fiction were increasing. There was definitely a fire, and Jaejoong was involved. Right?

Why…why are you here Mr. Jung? Don’t you resent me? Aren’t I the cause of your wife’s death? Why your sons hate me? Why are you in my presence? How do you…how do you even know the address to my house?

Jaejoong…you changed a lot. I never would’ve expected you talking to me like this…

Those words engraved an impact within my thoughts, refusing to melt away.

That voice opposing Jaejoong was certainly my father. My ears weren’t tricking me, it had the same timbre, the distinguishable, dictating tone that caused my stance to waver.

The chances of retrieving that recorder were zero. Considering the fact that I was caught in the act of eavesdropping him, meant that he’d make greater efforts to hide it. I knew him too well; Jaejoong was not stupid enough to leave it at a predictable hiding spot.

Ding!

The screen of my phone gleamed in the darkness, awakened by a notification. I stood from the couch and headed to the table of art supplies.

 6:30 AM

New Notification! Drive To Our Love Updated!

The man beside me is clenching his fists at the sound of a baby’s holler within the bus. Somehow it reminds me of you.

You were always a great fighter. You have a good sense of balance. Your fists; they’re hard as rocks. Your kicks are high as the sky. Every punch you landed would result in a crimson mess.

Despite your great battle skills; why didn’t you fight for our love?

Like Cinderella, you ran away from me.

But at least she got her glass slipper in the end.

When will I? When will I be saved from the wraths of my own despair?

This novel was also giving me suspicions. In order to quench my curiosity, I dialed my lawyer’s number, hoping he would pick up before the peak of dawn.

“Hello…” he groaned.

“Kim Junsu-ssi!”

“Oh…Yunho…” he mumbled. “It’s so early…why are you calling me?”

“Because I need you to do me a favor.”

“Is it that urgent?”

“Yes,” I replied.

“Okay…what…what is it?”

“You know…private investigators, right?” I asked.

“Um…yes…I have connections with them. Why?”

“I read rumors from online forums that the author is at her early thirties…she lives in Seoul…and that she’s dying from cancer…”

“Wait?! Dying?!” I burst.

“Yeah, that’s why she writes such sad love stories…it’s a way to send messages to her past lovers…she also uses ghost writers since she’s too weak to continue writing…”

“…”

“She also goes by the name Kim Min Ji,” he said.

“I want you to find someone who can investigate Kim Min Ji.”

“There are many Kim Min Jis in Korea. Can you tell me some characteristics that will make it easier to find her?”

“Um…she’s a cancer patient. She’s in her early thirties, and she lives in Seoul…”

“Is that all?” he asked.

“Yes…”

“Okay Yunho-ssi, I’ll get down to it. When I get the information, I’ll call you okay?”

“Okay, thanks Kim Junsu-ssi.”

~~

I didn’t resume my slumber after that phone call. The anticipation of the investigation was keeping me up, I couldn’t let my fatigue win over me.

Instead of pondering, I painted. Hues of orange and yellows stained my rough hands as I lost myself in producing perfect .

October was coming faster than I could count, and the small amount of paintings were worrying me to no end. So far I had the oak tree, the pelting rain, and this current painting I’m working on to display.

I could already visualize the theme of the exhibition, although I’m keeping that fact a secret. No one knew except I.

I scooted back as I alter my gaze to the overall canvas. Bright, orange colours doused the canvas, representing the fire’s blaze.

~~

I took a brief nap for two hours, eventually letting my fatigue win. Nine O’clock was already here, but despite the fast-paced time I didn’t move a single limb.

Aish. I forgot I have an upcoming therapist appointment in two hours, I better get prepared for that.

What could Jaejoong be doing? Did his anger persist? Did he cook anything?

To my disappointment, the table was vacant as I walked into the scentless kitchen. Not even an egg was cooked.

“Jaejoong-ah! Are you here?” I asked.

I hated the dynamic of our relationship. One day we could be laughing, eating his cooking, and the next day he’d be mad at me. Who was the cause of it? Me.

I drew myself to the counter, suddenly taking attention of a sticky note posted against the cupboard above the trashcan.

Take out the trash. Recycle the papers too.

-Jaejoong

That’s it? He didn’t even cook me breakfast, but he’s still making me take out the trash? Aish, how unfair.

I stomped on the lever, causing the trashcan’s lid to lift up. There was no trash to be found! What the hell Jaejoong? Why are you ordering me things that have been done already? Were you trying to make me crazy as an act of revenge?

Recycle the papers too.

I made my way to the backdoor, landing my eyes on the blue bin sitting beside the exit. I raised the bin from the grown, soon exiting out the door.

I downscaled the steps, my bare soles meeting the dewy grass as its blades tickled my flesh. There was no time for slippers.

I dumped the contents of the recycling bin into the disposal. Taking me aback, a newspaper flies past my shoulder, causing me to drop the container in order to retrieve the paper.

“Aish! Come back,” I said, chasing after it as I stretched my arm into the air.

I hopped, grabbing the paper as I claim my victory. “Got you!”

I turned the newspaper to the front page, putting my focus to the headline. The newspaper was dated from ten years ago, which was strange considering nobody delivered old newspapers.

December 30, 2006

House Fire Destroys Jejongdu Mansion, Leaving One Woman Dead

An estimated damage of 2 billion won was done to a mansion in Jejong-du due to a house fire. The fire was reported around 1:00 AM by one of the resident’s house maids. The residents were inside the house when the fire occurred, but they were able to escape successfully except one woman. Sources say that the deceased victim is a woman in her forties. Police say that the source of the fire was from a study room, which was started by a cigarette. Investigations are still ongoing.

. Could it have been the house I lived in ten years ago?

I rushed back indoors, soon entering my room as I shoved the newspaper in my drawers.

I had to hide that newspaper from Jaejoong. I was lucky it didn’t reach his sight.

Finally, answers were coming to my way.

~~

“Miss Jeon is in the middle of an appointment, mind waiting?” the reception lady asked, looking up from her keyboard.

“Sure,” I said, heading to the plump, white sofas. “Wait.”

“Yes?”

“Where’s the bathroom?” I asked.

“Oh, the bathroom is in that hall over there. Right beside Miss Jeon’s door,” the slender lady said, aiming her hand at the path ahead of me.

“Thanks,” I said, bowing to her.

The shiny, marble floors gleamed within my sight, reflecting my silhouette as it boasted its pristine condition. Long, stalky exotic plants lined the path, embellishing the golden halls, along with crystalline chandeliers that hung from above.

“I think…I’m going crazy," a voice said. 

I paused in front of my therapist’s door, halting my walk to the bathroom. The door was left unattended, unveiling a small, tiny crack, making it easy for random people to eavesdrop.  

The characteristic quality of the man’s voice strung a sense of familiarity within. Knowing this was not something I could ignore, I remained still, waiting for another word to slip.

The light from the room bled onto my feet, causing me to step back in hopes of my therapist not seeing my shadow.

“What’s making you crazy?” she asked. 

I wish I could see the person whom she was counselling with.

“I…I can see the future…”

It sounded so much like him, that I was starting to believe my delusions. 

“Wait…what?” she asked, astounded by this fact.

“Perhaps the previous hospital that I went to didn’t inform you about this, but I’m serious.”

“Well…that’s a very rare case…How, how long have you had this…ability?”

“For ten years,” he replied.

“Did something happen to you ten years ago?” she asked.

“I was involved in…in a house fire…”

 “When did it happen?”

“10 years ago.”

“What other visions do you see?”

“It’s strange because…because I don’t see my own visions…but I see my lover’s visions…”

“Can you elaborate further?” she asked.

“I don’t know…it’s like I can see through his world…”

“Do…do your ‘visions’ come to life?” she asked. “Do you witness them?”

“When I’m there at the scene I witness them, but most of the times I’m not at the scene so I’m not sure…”

“When was your last vision?” she asked.

“Today. I get them at a certain date. At three o’clock in the morning, I was sleeping and then I got awakened by a vision.”

“What was the vision?”

“A…a fi-,”

Ding! Ding!

! They totally heard that. I speedily walked to the bathroom, drawing away from the door as fast as I could. The burdening weight of my worries heaves off my chest as the sight of my reflection appeared within the mirror’s rectangular frame. I made it to the bathroom. Thank god.

“Hello?” I asked, not aware of the caller.

“Hyung!”

“Oh my god! Changmin, it’s been a while!” I said, lifting the corners of my mouth as the sound of my dongsaeng’s voice brings great pleasure to my ears.

“I know right. I had to do so much business in Beijing, but I’m finally in Korea now…”

“Changminnie, we have to meet. I miss you so much.”

“Why are you being so sentimental Hyung? It’s kinda gross…”

“What do you mean gross?! Who’s gross?!” I teased.

“You are! Anyways Hyung, I wanted to ask you something…”

“What is it?” I asked.

“Appa wants to have dinner with all the family…can you come?”

I hesitated for a moment as my chest leaped at the mention of my dad. “Sure…”

“Great. Come tonight, okay?”

“What time?” I asked.

“Hm…around five?”

“Do I have to bring food?”

“Of course you do! You can’t just make the maids cook the food all by themselves stupid…”

“What food do you guys want?”

“I don’t know…I like anything, but I’m kinda craving chicken…”

“’kay, I’ll bring chicken.”

“Byeee…I gotta go now, I have to talk to this new girl I’m seeing…”

“Wait,” my breath hitched. “You got a girlfriend?!”

“Yeahhh…”

“Who?!” I asked. 

“Well, we’re not really official, but she’s really hot and she thinks I’m hot too…”

“I asked who, not what your opinions of each other…”

“Oh right! Her name is Song Qian," Changmin said. 

“She’s Chinese?” I asked. 

“Yeah…met her at the streets when I got lost…”

“Well, at least you have a love life…Hyung still needs a girlfriend…”

“Speaking about love lives…how is Chae Won?”

The weight in my skull dispersed as the memory of Chae Won comes back to haunt me.

She has not left the world, yet I forgot about her as if she did. How could I let this happen? Since Jaejoong entered my life, the image of her beautiful face began to diminish into oblivion. I had to resurrect the passion that I once felt for her.

“Hyung…judging from your silence…did you not visit Chae Won yet?!”

“…”

“Really?! Hyung! It’s been four months!!”

Has time slipped that fast? Did July already end? Was it already August? Taking Changmin’s words into account, I finally delve myself into reality