Taeyeon's Room, Suite 2

“teuk? Ugh…”

Taeyeon slapped a hand on her eyes to shield them from the gleaming rays.

Unusually, the sun rays appeared too much bright, and the place sounded deafening, as if she could hear her own pulsations throbbing inside her head. Taeyeon closed her eyes and started simulating her deep breaths. now she could hear her heart pumping too much blood to her system.

A hang over.

She tried to remember details, tiny pieces of information that will tell her what she did with leeteuk last night. Leeteuk indeed went out, bought a lot of drinks from the grocery store nearby, and came to the hotel carrying two plastic bags of what appeared like he had ransacked a store. They had a drink, courtesy of him. He had invited her, mistaking her as a woman in complete senses. Of course tayeon could still remember. She was partly drunk but she still knew majority of the details. Some, however, appeared oddly vague. It seemed that a lot of drinks really intoxicated her to the last drop.

Taeyeon made a loud yawn and stretched herself, starting from wiggling her arms to stretching her feet. She started trying to regain composure, as the headache she was experiencing made her feel funny, like her brain could just drop inside her skull. If a brain could really drop inside the skull. But scientifically, a brain just occupies a little space surrounded by fluid.

Taeyeon turned to her right and smiled. on the floor under the huge glass window, with the smell of the faint sea lingering, was her own leeteuk still asleep, a bottle of soju in his hand. he slept in a sitting position, his head inclined to his shoulder. the scene appeared so normal and so funny that taeyeon had gotten into her senses and decided to take a picture of him.

CLICK

Leeteuk’s eyes automatically opened like a robot being operated to “on” mode.

“woah.” He said, closing his eyes from the bright scene. too much light. taeyeon giggled and took more shots.

“morning mister park.” She greeted, making sure she’s getting more shots of leeteuk with his eyes closed.

Taeyeon’s man slowly opened his eyes and blinked.

“how are you?” he asked, yawning. He couldn’t help but to sat up straight and pursue rubbing his eyes. strangely he didn’t appear tired.  His muscles didn’t even ache at all from sitting the entire night. The sea did it again?

“headache, I think I got a hangover.” Taeyeon confessed, putting the camera on her side.

Leeteuk chuckled and placed his hands on her face. “let me see.” He said, scanning her. taeyeon’s doe eyes looked at him too and leeteuk couldn’t help but to smile. The doe eyes, reminded him a lot of two tiny pieces of circular balls. “irregular pulsations, yes. Too much blood circulation especially here.”

He poked the sides of her head.

“you’ll be fine.” Leeteuk continued. “I’ll just make you a soup so you could calm yourself a bit.”

He stood up, leaving a gaping taeyeon on the floor. and he knew how much taeyeon didn’t know a lot about him when it comes to cooking matters.

“you’ll make soup?” taeyeon asked.

Leeteuk nodded and placed his hands on his back, making a stretch. “and your breakfast too.” he looked around taeyeon’s room and yawned again.

“but you don’t know how to cook.”

“you’re belittling me again, dear.”

Taeyeon stood up too and found her environment circulating around her.

“ow… ouch.”

“taeyeon, sit down.” Leeteuk laughed. Taeyeon closed her eyes and situated herself on the foot of the bed. How was it, it would be two years since she had a steady drink. She started to stop drinking batches of ethanol when she and her siblings set foot on the Park Estate. Now it appeared like she would swear to not immerse herself to drink again.

“sorry.”

Leeteuk handed her a towel.

“you take a shower first, ease that headache.” He said, as taeyeon plunged the towel into her chest, making an embrace. Leeteuk checked her again and nodded.

“this is weird.”

“hmm?” leeteuk bit his lip.

“that you’re the one caring for me, instead of me.” taeyeon blurted. She was always the one in charge when it comes to caring matters. then leeteuk? It wasn’t a year yet since he had a successful transplant but it looked like he was healthy enough to take care of her.

Taeyeon scratched her head and smiled.

“go ahead.” Leeteuk edged her to the wash room and smiled too.

----------------------

Taeyeon tied her hair into a messy bun as she made her way to the east wing of the suite, leading to the kitchen area.

“clean as new!” she blurted to a busy leeteuk, who was  talking to someone on the phone while simultaneously swirling what smelled like a vegetable soup. Leeteuk smiled and turned his attention to his client, but pointed to a stool opposite him where his girlfriend could sit. He, too, had plunged into a good shower. Evident by wearing new set of clothes.

Taeyeon sat on the stool and waited for leeteuk to finish talking.

“yes, I will contact you when I get to seoul.” she can hear leeteuk muttering. To contact someone once he get back to Seoul? who could this person, be? Taeyeon thought.

She punched her head slightly with a fist and shook her entire face. she could really blame herself from thinking too much. The green eyed monster is really getting out of nowhere.

“what’s wrong dear?” leeteuk asked as he put down his phone. taeyeon shook her head again. “I guess your mind is floating somewhere?”

“aigoo.” Taeyeon rolled her eyes and smacked her chin with a palm, resting her elbow on the table.

Leeteuk pushed a bowl to her front. “your soup.”

“you really made one, huh.”

“I told you I can cook.” leeteuk said. “you saw me last time doing it anyways.”

Taeyeon nodded. It will be the second time she could see leeteuk cooking. The first one would date somewhere back to their college senior days, when leeteuk and taeyeon were assigned to the slums for a business project. She placed a spoonful to , every piece of the salty liquid activating her taste sensors.“wow, this is good.”

“hah.” Leeteuk chuckled and turned off the stove.

The next thing taeyeon knew, he was taking out a pan from underneath.

“your breakfast.” Leeteuk answered for her. he paced towards the refrigerator and started getting out a tray of eggs and a clear plastic of processed meat.

When leeteuk was finished cooking, taeyeon had her eyes fixed on a plate of eggs and meat.

“aigoo.” She breathed in, noticing how perfectly cooked the food is. she took a bite and smiled again. if this were a cooking show, she would definitely be one happy customer.

“food is good?” leeteuk walked next to her. taeyeon nodded like a kid and continued eating. “at least I still have the skills.”

He smiled and gently patted taeyeon’s head.

“why don’t you eat?”

“I had coffee. But I will probably take a bite once you finish eating, I still have to drink my medicine.” Leeteuk said, being reminded of the drugs he have to take after having the successful heart transplant. taeyeon nodded and encircled both her arms to his waist.

“don’t you have a meeting today?” she asked, noticing that he was wearing casual.

“sungmin can replace me.”

“waeyo?are you… are you sure?” taeyeon began to think about the nervous Sungmin facing leeteuk’s clients. “I can wait for you.”

Leeteuk pinched her cheeks and watched as taeyeon’s face turn into a tinge of red . “says the drunk girl last night who got disappointed because her boyfriend wasn’t able to catch up with their date?” he asked, running a hand on her messy bun that became his ultimate favorite hairstyle of her. he was really surprised that taeyeon would do such gesture, especially that she was not usually asking too much time from him.

Now, it looked though, that taeyeon wanted to spend every moment with her boyfriend.

taeyeon blushed.

“well, you know.” She said, thinking over what she just did. “its an impulse.”

Leeteuk eyed her in concern. “don’t do that again. at least when I’m around, okay?”

Taeyeon nodded and submerged her face on his chest, making leeteuk do a slight “oof” sound.

“dear, you eat.”

“just let me do this.” Taeyeon tightened her embrace. “I really missed you.”

“I was just out the whole day.”

Taeyeon nuzzled her nose on his chest. “well, it can happen again. going out the whole day… since you’re the president now.”

She knew the perks of leeteuk replacing his father for the industry. But she can’t still adjust herself to the fact that there will be more days that she wouldn’t be able to see leeteuk around. she was not used to it. they were classmates when he was doing the last semester in the school and she would always see him hanging around, except some days when he was tasked by his father to do some business trips resulting to his infrequent visits to the Villa . it would be really weird if she started seeing  him only once a week.

“you’ll miss this when you start spending time at the office.” She said, hearing leeteuk’s chuckle at the mention of his would-be lifestyle in the future.

“I would. Probably.” And with a tumultuous moment of thinking, he kissed her.

Leeteuk squeezed in his lips on taeyeon and separated himself inches away when he noticed that she was giggling. Her little sounds making a slight annoyance.

“hey.” He said, when taeyeon cupped and shook her head, feeling sorry.

“sorry, do it again.”

Leeteuk kissed her again, this time, rather slow, as his lips glided generously on hers. Taeyeon could feel her then steady breathing transformed into a rough pace, with her hands tightening itself in a form of a grasp. The next thing she knew, she was sitting at the nook, with her arms now on his neck, and his hands sliding on her lower back. Taeyeon could feel a surge of electricity creeping into her spine with his touch, like an electrocution. Except that the feeling was warm and exciting at the same time.  She wasn’t usually out of breath every time she and leeteuk would do this, but it seemed like he was doing a great a job on breathing exercises.

Ah, swimming. Taeyeon thought, simultaneously smashing her lips on his on a fast.  Leeteuk’s therapy post operation involved a course in swimming, after all. Taeyeon’s heart made sudden irregular jerks. She knew she could feel her heart beat because of the hang over, but it seemed like the sound diverted itself to a loud mode.

Leeteuk stopped.

“why?” taeyeon looked at him, almost breathless.

“you suddenly stopped, what were you thinking?”

“oh, just thoughts.” Taeyeon waved a hand. before leeteuk could utter his response, she kissed him again, unbeknownst to the breathing she’s currently experiencing, her body just wanted to submerge itself on him. Leeteuk obliged with taeyeon’s notion by cradling her neck and massaging her back. The back massage felt really great that taeyeon started wrapping her legs around him, tensing herself to the kiss, like a force. Leeteuk’s hand traveled on her thigh down to her knee, easing himself closer. Taeyeon’s thoughts suddenly drifted away from the reality. What are they doing, where will this go, will leeteuk really postpone his meeting?

-cellphone ringing-

Taeyeon rolled her eyes when her thinking balloon popped, and leeteuk separated himself inches away from her, looking for his phone.

“sorry dear.” Leeteuk panted. He composed himself to simultaneous slow breaths, and turned his attention towards the receiver. “yes, hello.”

Taeyeon rolled her eyes and was about to hop off from the nook when leeteuk locked his arms all over her body.

“aigoo.”

“I’m planning to take a day off.” leeteuk said, smiling at the thought of taeyeon being wrapped in his embrace. “yes. I would like to value some of my free time. Inyoung noona can substitute for me and you can take her place in writing down some of the things they want to negotiate.”

Leeteuk bit his lip. “no, sungmin. This is how we put it.” he rested his chin on taeyeon’s left shoulder and playfully started smelling her, simultaneously explaining to sungmin his reason. “we still have days to go before we return to seoul. I just want to have some day where I can spend learning some probabilities on this island. I think this is some idea that the old man wanted me to explore.”

“yah.” Taeyeon tried making a move but leeteuk’s arms were just too strong that she cannot do anything but to sit back and wait until he finishes his call.

“you will call me later, and tell me when something is wrong. Arasseo? Let’s make something productive today. After that I will let you have some rest.”

Leeteuk put down his phone.

“day off.” He told her, loosening his embrace.

Taeyeon swore she could just celebrate with another Mbatch of drink because of the happiness. But then again---

RING

“I’ll get it.” leeteuk headed towards the main door.

----------------------

Taeyeon’s POV

“I’ll get it.” was leeteuk’s words upon hearing door bell. I hopped out of the nook and fixed my hair, then situated myself to the receiving room where leeteuk was.

“teuk, what is---“ I was supposed to ask who the person is but my question suddenly drifted into space upon seeing a middle aged man in a suit, a sun kissed cheek appeared visible, and he was wearing an unusual smile, a smile that would remind me of the previous days where I worked as a secret agent.

“father.” leeteuk spoke at once.

Mister park nodded his head and went inside. The old man did gain a little weight. He started observing the place, starting from the receiving area itself, and on the following doors leading to the rooms.

“you are not wearing business attire.” Was the old man’s first statement to leeteuk, who, by chance, looked alarm wearing a casual shirt and shorts.

Leeteuk shrugged. “I am taking a day off today.”

“a day off?”

Leeteuk looked at me and faced his father with his usual expression less stare. “yes. I think I would like to value some time.”

I don’t know if this scene reminded me of the old days when leeteuk and his father used to quarrel around when it comes to family and business matters. they really had the ups and downs, leeteuk would always walk out of the room, his father would always get his agents to look after him. The usual love and hate relationship. I don’t know if it would be applicable now ever since leeteuk went into a comatose condition and his father almost lost him. After the successful surgery and some therapies, Mister Park did become careful with him, although he would still have him attend business trips. But I don’t know.. this scene now really reminds me of the old days.

Mister park also looked at me and smiled.

“I see.” He said, taking a seat on the futon. Mister park loosened up himself a little bit by stretching his legs on the carpet, rubbing his stomach. “really had a nice time in Egypt. Those camels and the desert and the night time setting couldn’t be replaced. Anyways, I also met someone I think that could be of value to our business, making me board a jet.”

Mister park fumbled for his pocket and took out a little white card with pink and blue printings. He handed the card to a curious leeteuk who sat on the edge of the futon, making sure he would distance himself from his business minded father.

“Ma Egyptian Fuels.” Leeteuk read aloud as I stayed standing, aware of the time passing by. I would really want to go out now and explore the other islands.

“the oil business in Egypt can you believe it?” mister park blurted. I could tell that leeteuk was amazed too, evident by his constant readings on the card. “my dream of global expansion, could be made possible. And it’s a Korean family. How good can that be??”

Aigoo, business expansion again?

Mister park started telling leeteuk about details his son eagerly listened such as the possibilities of being future business partners with the Koreans in Egypt, how to solve the oil price hike nowadays, and the advantages of extending the business outside Asia.  I started listening too, since leeteuk was really keen on to it, and I couldn’t be happier, knowing that this could really make him a better businessman.

But I suddenly stopped making a smile on my face when mister park mentioned a statement I knew I could hate for the rest of my life.

“the Ma’s only daughter, Yuri, is an avid fan of yours and wants to see you.” Mister Park continued, the happy expression giving me heaps of annoyance. “apparently she knew about your school achievements.”

Leeteuk instantly placed the card on the table.

“I don’t know what you are talking about.” He said, with a wave of a head that points towards me. we knew what his father was thinking, and I know that leeteuk could feel too that I don’t like what’s going on. And what is this, selling his son?

mister park looked at me too.

“meeting her couldn’t be that bad.” Mister Park dismissed his thoughts. “just make a few drinks, talk about the business expansion. The family wanted to expand business in here too, since this is a native land.”

I curled my fists in reflex, making leeteuk turn his attention towards me.

“father.” leeteuk said. “taeyeon…”

“jungsu, I am not suggesting you anything. I’m just offering some possibilities.” Mister park raised both of his hands. “what to do but to grant the lady’s wish, eh? The only daughter you know, her parents couldn’t be gladder but to succumb. and besides you cannot do a halt on anything now since I brought---“

“you brought that woman here?” I blurted, standing up.

There there. I really don’t want to level this heat up but the hang over I’m currently experiencing just tumbles on with my mood.

“taeng.” Leeteuk stood up too and walked towards me.

“so this is some business thing that you just suddenly want to trample to other people’s feelings?” I asked mister park, who was surprised when my eyes started to appear watery. I just couldn’t control it, this middle aged man wanted to offer possibilities to his son? And possibilities involved meeting a woman who could help expand their business over the continents? How could he just trample my feelings like that?

“taeyeon.”

Leeteuk reached out for my hands but I just shook them away.

“I will not meet her if you don’t want to.” he said me gently. Leeteuk looked at mister park and shook his head.

“you and I will talk.” He told the old man.

But before leeteuk could do more assurances, I walked out.

-------------------------

“jungsu, I’m not saying…”

“she already walked out.” leeteuk dialed a number on his phone as mister park stood up. “father, I told you, I’m already in a relationship, you just can’t do something like that. especially when taeng is around”

“but I am not hindering you.” Mister park smiled. “son, this is just a business meeting.”

“you sound like you’re selling me.” leeteuk huffed, listening intently to the receiver. He grumbled when the operator answered his calls instead.

“I am not selling---“

“it looks and sounds like it.” leeteuk said. taeyeon did found the idea ridiculous too, resulting to her impulsively walking out the suite. “now I don’t know if taeyeon would listen to me.”

Mister park sighed.

“your mother.” He slumped on the chair where taeyeon sat a few minutes ago. “would also cause chaos with me every time I tell her that I’m meeting a woman. But I couldn’t do something about it because my father intentionally just tells me.  I couldn’t help it. its business. There are some things that you just have to put aside when you’re living a dream you want to pursue.”

“you are not telling me that I should stop being in a relationship. ” leeteuk looked at him.

“son, no.” mister park said. “after I almost lost you did you think that I would just put you in to trouble again?”

“son, this is our dream.” He continued. “and Ms. Ma just wants to see you, just a few drinks, sort out some business. Taeyeon will be fine.”

Leeteuk wasn’t sure about this.

“I am going after her.”

“no.” mister park said. “stay for now.”

“don’t tell me things that---“

“you are my business successor.” Mister park suddenly appeared stern. “and you know how much this business dealing is important. It would cause you a great future.”

Leeteuk opted for the main door but the locks .

“what’s this—“

“you cannot go out.”

“father!”

“just this time.” his father pleaded. “after this, I will leave you the rest.”

------------------------

Pool side, Star Hotel

Taeyeon’s POV

I was expecting that leeteuk would look after me but I guess his father stopped him to do so.

I just learn some things. That business is a hungry animal that would just devour anything when it comes to pursuing its dream and involves trampling people getting in the way. I am in a current relationship with the successor, and I know that I will cause him a hindrance in meeting new people. I don’t want to disappoint leeteuk, but I just couldn’t help but to feel pain either. Especially that it appeared to it that his father really wanted him to meet the Egyptian oil daughter, telling right infront of me. I guess he wouldn’t just intentionally tell it when it doesn’t have a reason. That old man is business hungry after all.

I crossed my arms and situated my feet on the pool, unaware of the people passing by and the kids strolling out to meet the morning sun. I would probably contact ryeowook and sunny after I contemplate about some things but I just realized that I forgot to even bring my phone when I walked out.

Ugh.

My hands glided on the watery surface, when a reflection of a man in his middle twenties also looked back at me.

I turned around and found a man in a maintenance uniform, a pool cleaner on his right hand, wearing a bright smile.

“changmin oppa?”