Chapter 6

By seven in the evening, Jaejoong was seated behind his computer desk, going through his work files. He had three new cases this week & one important invitation for next month. He took the official invitation of Asian Lawyers Association Annual Meeting at France, March 10-12, from his wilsons leather top-rod leather back suitcase. He glanced at the paper & smiled brightly as he found his name on it. The keynote speaker of the conference was he, Kim Jaejoong. He grinned. He couldn’t get a proudly feeling off his face. He was chosen among the best lawyers in Asia to have the honor of being a keynote speaker, “It’s an incredible career, isn’t it?” He said to himself. The job had changed everything. Many bright lawyers would envy his achievement. He grinned to himself. A huge success.

Life was good in everything except for a love life, he groaned to himself. His high school grades were remarkable. He graduated from the best law school in the United States. He loved his work, city, family & the life he led. However, involving a long commitment with a woman had been a problem since he was young.

He read the invitation again, & took out an elegant card. March 10-12, Hilton Evian-Les-Bains, France.

“Oh, damn!” Jaejoong muttered, as he rolled his eyes not just at the invitation but at the note scrawled under the closing line.

“Please bring your partner of life.” It read, “There would be some exciting & challenging events to gather all the best Asian lawyers & their partners.”

He couldn’t help but laughed. It was a shocker. Not the event but the request was ridiculous. What would his colleagues say if he attended it alone? Everybody knew he just canceled his wedding with Sunny this week. Therefore, he was sure on the next month meeting in France, he would be a good deadly joke around his colleagues. No way. He hunched over the paper again. His life was crazy enough lately, especially when he met that girl, Tiffany. The more he read, the more he felt like groaning.

“Argh.” He groaned in despair. Then he continued to stare at his computer screen.

“Jae Oppa?”

Jaejoong turned his head to face his sister standing at his bedroom doorway. He signaled with his hand for his sister to come inside the room. He smiled & tilted back his chair.

Seohyun sat down on the chair next to his computer desk. She was staring at him, her hands planted firmly on her rounded hips as if she couldn’t be patient. She waited impatiently for her brother to finish his typing on the keyboard.

“What is it, Seo? Don’t give me that ugly look.”

“I want to know why dad got a heart attack.”

He let out a big sigh of breath. He turned to look at his sister & said gently, “I don’t know, Seo. Honestly. I got a phone call from the hospital & then I called you.”

“Where was he? I mean, where did they find him?”

Jaejoong stood up from his chair & sat down on the bed, “I didn’t ask clearly.” He paused, switching his sight to the ceiling. He didn’t want his sister to catch him lying, “Dad should have been discussing some court business with his colleagues. You know, this stressful job could make his weak heart suffer.”

“I’m not a eight year old girl anymore, Oppa!” She snapped at Jaejoong. Her straight eyebrows lifted towards her hairline. Her black almond-shaped eyes scrutinized her brother’s face. She sensed he was hiding something behind his eyes.

He groaned secretly, “Why did you ask if you don’t believe me?!” He raised his voice a bit.

There was a moment of silence. Jaejoong & Seohyun looked at each other & then Seohyun threw her arms up in defeat.

“Mom wants me to ask you.”

Jaejoong closed his eyes for a second, ‘Woman trouble.’ He said to himself. He knew it. His mother wouldn’t let her rival go easily. He blew out his breath, “Tell mom not to think too far beyond imagination.”

Seohyun nodded finally, “Alright. Everything seems to go smoothly. We’ll catch her sooner than I expected.” Jaejoong knitted his eyebrows, “What do you mean?”

“Meaning.” She rolled her eyes, “Mom will soon know about dad’s secret. The private investigator just called her. He will send a picture of dad & that damned woman! My god, Oppa. She’s just two years older than me. How can dad date these kind of women? I can’t believe it.”

Suddenly, Jaejoong felt the heat of a blazing heater. A photo? No. His mother can’t see a picture of her. It would make anything worses. He would add salt to his mother’s wound if she knows who Tiffany was. Tiffany was Miyoung & Miyoung was Tiffany. Oh, god.