Chapter 10

"Why isn't there any update, hyung?" Youngjae wondered, siping on his newly made coffee while looking at Jackson who's currently making his own coffee.

It's already Tuesday but they still didn't hear any updates on whether the deal fall through or not.

"I don't know, maybe the client still hasn't got back." Jackson replied, sighing before sipping on his own     drink, thoughts on his proposal that might be rejected by Kevin Woo.

"Well, let's just hope we get some news soon. It's a big project, they might be taking their time looking through our proposals." Jackson added, trying to think positively while Youngjae nodded to his words before the best friends exited the pantry and return back to their respective desk.

While busy typing away, Bambam passed by dropping a memo on Jackson's desk before walking away, not giving the older any chance to question him anything.

Jackson raises his brows in confusion before picking up and reading the memo, surprised by the fact that he was asked for by their vice president.

Totally lost by the situation, Jackson still make his way to the thirteenth floor with pumping heart, nervous at what might head his way.

"Jackson." Jia exclaimed in surprise, didn't expect to see the younger on this floor.

"Hi, noona. I'm being called in by the vice president." Jackson greets nervously before showing Jia the memo that he received earlier.

“Go ahead.” Jia gestured over to the door that Jackson nervously approach before knocking, praying hard that it wasn’t anything serious.

“Come in.” Jaebum’s clear voice was heard, responding to his knocks which stiffen Jackson but still he calm himself down before stepping into the office after he pushed the door open.

“Jackson shii, please take a seat.” Jaebum called out, gesturing for him to take a seat opposite of his superior which he quickly obliged to.

“Do you know why I called you in?” Jaebum asked with an indifferent expression, staring at Jackson who’s cracking his brain to find any possible fault that he did aside from the ‘stalker’ incident.

“You are aware of our latest project, right?” Jaebum added, earning a nod from the other who wasn’t receiving any good vibes from the mere mention of the topic.

“We didn’t get the deal because apparently a rookie company produced a better proposal than us which happened to look ridiculously similar to yours.” Jaebum continued, putting two pictures right in front of Jackson who by now was shocked to see a complete replica beside his own proposal picture.

“Ho..?” Jackson stuttered, couldn’t even explain how speechless he was with everything.

“Yes, how? How did your proposal get to them, Jackson Wang? Explain yourself.” Jaebum questioned, tone getting lower with each words while eyes looking at Jackson in displeased.

“No, I don’t know. I didn’t do anything.” Jackson exclaimed, defending himself at the accusation pointed at him.

“Are you sure because this isn’t the first time that this happened.” Jaebum pointed out, internally enjoys watching Jackson Wang struggles to defend himself.

“What?” Jackson exclaimed in surprised, wondering what’s going on with this mess up situation that he wasn’t even apart of to start with.

“Fine, I don’t wanna waste my breath on this matter any longer. You are given a week to either find out the truth behind this to prove your innocence or admit your wrongdoing and resigned from this company. Think about this carefully. You can go now.” Jaebum stated firmly, giving the other a pointed look before dismissing the utterly lost and confused Jackson out of his office.

The moment Jackson walks out of his office, Jaebum couldn’t help but to smirk at the whole situation, it’s about time he gets rid of that annoying Jackson Wang.

While walking pass his father’s study, Jaebum overheard the conversation that was going on between the elder and President Tuan.

“Yes, don’t worry, you can trust him. I will ask him to meet up with you tomorrow at the office.” Mr Im exclaimed, convincing his friend that his son was the right choice for the job.

“Appa.” Jaebum called out after the phone call ended, making Mr Im turned to look at his son while beaming away at the good news he just received.

“Son, please come in. Take a seat.” Mr Im called in before signalling the other to take a seat beside him on the couch located in the corner of the room.

“Jaebum ah, Mr Tuan called earlier. He decided on you to be the new vice president.” Mr Im slowly break the news, expecting his son to be excited but instead he frowned.

“What? I thought he rejected me. What happened to that candidate of his choice?” Jaebum scowled, disliking that old man from the day he ‘rejected’ him without even an interview.

“Jackson rejected that offer and he didn’t reject you. He already told me that he will consider and since he still haven’t got an answer from Jackson at that time, he couldn’t be too sure about you.” Mr Im explained, not liking at how Jaebum reacting to the news at all.

“Whatever, I’m not going tomorrow.  He can find himself another vice president.” Jaebum pointed out, rolling his eyes at the idea of being some guy replacement.

“Jaebum ah, what is wrong with you?” Mr Im questioned, not understanding why his only son as to be this stubborn.
“Appa, do you like me being some replacement to a Jackson? It was obvious, I wasn’t his first choice.” Jaebum hissed, annoyed by the fact that his father couldn’t understand his feelings.

“Does it matter? All you need to do is work hard from now on. Don’t let me down, you know how hard it was for me to get this job for you.” Mr Im shouted, couldn’t stand the frustration building in him.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about you. You must really like that Jackson guy, to even have me be his replacement. Fine, it’s not like I have any option anyway, right?” Jaebum yelled back before storming out of the study, slamming the door behind him.

“It isn’t like that, son. I just wanted a good future for you.” Mr Im whispered weakly, eyes lingering at the spot beside him while wishing his wife was still around to comfort him every time this happened between them.

Wherelse back in his room, Jaebum swears that from today onwards, he will makes President Tuan regrets for even employing him.

The beeping of his phone pulled the vice president out of his thoughts, he turned to check on the device seating on his desk, smiling as he sees the caller name.

“Hey, my Bambam.” Jaebum answered the call, causing the caller at the other end chuckled at the nickname.

“JB, I miss you. Why didn’t come back yesterday?” Bambam questioned, pouting even though the older couldn’t see him.

“Sorry, Baby. I went over to Appa’s apartment, he wasn’t feeling well so I slept over.” Jaebum lied, smirking at the thought of the intense and intimate night he spend with Jinyoung last night over at the younger apartment, celebrating on successfully closing their deal.

“I see. Is he doing better now?” Bambam exclaimed, worried about his boyfriend’s father even though he never got the chance to meet the elderly.

“Yes, don’t worry. I will see you later, at home.” Jaebum assured before ending the call with the younger male with a ‘love you’.

Meanwhile in the president’s office, Mark couldn’t help but to wonder why his Mandu was called in by Jaebum since he didn’t failed to noticed a dejected looking puppy exiting the vice president’s office a few minutes ago.

He decided to just ask Jackson during lunch, later somehow because right now, he needs to call Peniel about the folder of accounting records that he found mysteriously again on his desk yesterday morning.

“I wonders if he already found out stuffs.” Mark exclaimed to nobody before dialing the super familiar number, couldn’t help to hear what the other finds out.

*************************************

 

Mark sighed, looking at the dazed younger beside him who's currently staring blankly at the television.

He had wanted to ask Jackson earlier during lunch about what happened but he couldn’t seems to bring up the topic after seeing how distracted his Mandu was.

Thinking it’s better to question now rather than prolong his worries and curiosity, Mark tapped Jackson’s shoulder which instantly cause the younger to turned and looked at him.

“Hmm..” Jackson hums, putting a small smile for the older, not wanting to show Mark his worries even though he knows it properly useless since he has been out of it for almost half of the day.

“Did something happened at work, you seems out of it since lunch earlier?” Mark questioned, worry clear on his face, making Jackson feels bad since he knows there is no way he could hide anything from the older.

    Jackson wasn’t sure if he wanna shared about the incident with Mark since knowing the older, he will properly be pissed at the accusation and for sure the news will reached Pa, the elder will definitely step in to help him which exactly what he didn’t want.

“Ka Yee, please. I’m really worried about you.” Mark urged, knowing clearly that the other is debating with himself just from Jackson’s expression.

Jackson sighed in defeat, knowing clearly he will never win against Mark Tuan before sharing the whole conversation that went down in the vice president’s office.

Honestly Mark was shocked to hear what happened earlier because he clearly didn’t see Jackson as his vice president’s target in his plan but seeing at how everything seems to be linked up to the younger, he should at least had expected it.

“Dimsum, what should I do?” Jackson sighed, messing with his hair in frustration as he looked at the older who seems to be in deep thoughts after hearing the ‘news’.

“Don’t worry, I’m sure we can find out who’s behind these.” Mark assured, ruffling Jackson’s mess up hair with a reassuring smile on his face, his mind already working on how to deal with Jaebum before he start messing with his Mandu.

Seeing the reassuring smile on Mark’s face somehow calm Jackson down as he nodded to the older’s words, praying hard that Mark’s words will be right like always.

“Come, let’s cuddle up in bed. I’m getting sleepy.” Mark suggested, turning off the television before dragging his big baby into his bedroom, clearly knowing a habit of the younger who likes to cuddle up in bed with him after a bad day since young.

The boys sleeps soundly, thanks to the cuddling and without their permission, the sun soon rise which signalled it is already morning.

Mark was the first to got up before he went ahead to wash up and start making breakfast by the time Jackson starts stirring up from his sleep.

“Breakfast!” Mark called out, bringing the two bowls of chicken porridge to the counter, readied to be enjoyed by him and the younger.

Jackson appears looking fresh but still sleepy as he plopped himself down on the stool beside the older whose shaking his head at the yawning puppy.

The best friends enjoyed their breakfast in silence, half of the time Mark trying to make sure the younger’s face didn’t make it into the hot bowl of porridge since he kept on dozing off between scoops.

On the way to work, Mark’s mind was planning on how to deal with Jaebum while Jackson busy staring out of the window, mind trying to figure out a way to investigate the situation.

“Mandu, did you do anything to offend him or maybe something happened?” Mark suddenly questioned, trying to figured out what is the connection between Jackson and Jaebum.

“Hmm, not really. We didn’t interact much since there wasn’t a need too and he didn’t seems to like me anyway.” Jackson replied after giving it a thought, remembering how Jaebum seems to looked at him with annoyance every single time, it was weird actually because it feels like as if the other have some unspoken grudges towards him.

“He doesn’t like you?” Mark exclaimed, throwing the younger a look to explained what he meant.

“It’s just that every single time he looks at me, it feels like as if I’m sure a sore in his eyes. It’s weird.” Jackson explained, not understanding what actually Jaebum has against him.

Mark nodded, taking in dislike as a point but he still needs to find out the reason why behind that.

*************************************

While busy working on the files that needs his signature, Jaebum heard a clear knock on his door which cause him to invite whoever that was on the other side in.

“Sir, the president is asking for you.” Jia informed after entering the office, eyes on the vice president who's still busy with his files.

Jaebum look at his secretary, raising his brows while wondering if he heard the female correctly,

“He wants to see me?” Jaebum questioned, just to reassured himself which earned him a nod from Jia whose amused by the hint of guilt clear on the usually pokerface vice president.

“Noted, you can go now.” Jaebum exclaimed, dismissing his secretary before getting up and heads for the office opposite of his.

With a sharp knock, he heard the young president’s deep voice inviting him in.

“Jaebum shii, please take a seat.” Mark gestured for the other to take a seat, inviting his vice president in for the first time since he took over this office.

Jaebum bowed out of formality before taking a seat, staring at the young Tuan seated opposite of him that looked like he came to the office to party instead of work.

 

“I heard that we lost our most recent deal to a rookie company.” Mark exclaimed, trying to read the indifferent individual expression.

“Yes, it seems like their proposal won over our client.” Jaebum calmly replied, not expecting that the amature infront of him actually updates himself with everything that’s going on.

“This isn’t the first time, right?” Mark questioned, which instantly caused Jaebum to be alert while wondering if the young Tuan actually knows what is going on.

“No.” Jaebum replied, trying to see what will the new president say next, already coming up with ‘reasoning’ in his devious mind.

“It’s such a waste to miss out on such a big project but it’s fine. There is always other opportunities in the future.” Mark exclaimed, ‘sighing’ since he noticed that Jaebum is already on alert mode just from his two questions.

Jaebum almost smack himself for being silly after hearing Mark’s words, it was stupid of him to actually think this idiot in front of him actually caught on with everything.

“I was thinking since the company anniversary is coming up soon, why don’t we have a company trip this weekend? You know to expressed my thanks to everyone for working hard.” Mark added, looking at his vice president who was actually smirking at his idea, probably amused by him.

“Idiot.” Jaebum exclaimed in his mind, smirking at the fact how simple minded the other was despite his intimidating appearance.

“Sure, that is a good idea.” Jaebum agreed, going along with the idea since who in their right mind would passed up a free trip by this stupid company.

“Great. Please pass the news to all staffs and departments. Everybody to gather at the lobby by seven am on Saturday. I will settle all the arrangement needed by myself so don’t worry.” Mark instructed, earning a nod from Jaebum before he dismissed the other.

“This weekend will be your last trip for a long while, Im Jaebum.” Mark smirked to himself, already dialing a familiar number to start arrangement for the trip.

Back at the seventh floor, Jackson was busy cursing himself for being such an idiot during lunch just now, he practically stuffed himself with two big bowls of udon and now he is barely functioning.

He kept on dozing off that he starting to worried his best friend who had just run off towards the pantry direction a few minutes ago.

“Here, to keep you awake.” Youngjae appears with a tumbler of hot coffee which Jackson thankfully received with a big smile.

“Hwaiting!” Youngjae cheered him on, returning the smile before going back to his desk and start working again.

Thanks to Youngjae’s magical coffee, Jackson managed to stay awake to work on the documents that he needs to hand in by the end of today to Mr Perfect.

While busy working, Jinyoung suddenly appears before standing at the center in between the desks.

“Everyone, I got something to announce.” Jinyoung called out which earned every individual’s attention towards him including Jackson.

“In order to celebrate the company anniversary coming up, our new president decided to bring us on a company trip this weekend. To thanks us for the hard work and cheer us up over the Pure Kiss deal.” Jinyoung announced, repeating what Jaebum had said through their phone call just now which cause the others to cheer including the usually reserved Youngjae.

Jackson was amazed at the news, the new president seems to be very sweet and caring to even care about his staffs over a lost deal that particularly affected him and Youngjae since they really work hard to bring out something fresh this time round.

He couldn’t forget how disappointed Youngjae was when their chief announced the sad news after lunch yesterday.

“Make sure you guys gather at the lobby by seven am on Saturday.” Jinyoung added before walking away, leaving his staffs to celebrate the good news.

*************************************

“Are you done packing?” Mark questioned, peeking inside his guest bedroom to see the half awake Jackson struggling with his backpack.

“Maybe I should just skip..” Jackson exclaimed, throwing his mess up backpack aside before running his hand through his bed hair, suddenly didn’t like the idea of spending his weekend without Mark.

Mark just shake his head before checking the time, the younger only had around forty minutes left before seven.

“Mandu, don’t you wanna have fun with Youngjae? He will be lonely if you are not there.” Mark reasoned, packing the stuffs back into the backpack neatly before placing it beside Jackson.

“But..” Jackson pouted, looking at Mark with his puppy eyes, clearly didn't want to leave the older alone this weekend.

“Don’t worry, I heard from Pa yesterday that there will be a dinner party later tonight at the resort you are staying. Pa and Ma are going so I will probably be able to tag along for the party.” Mark assured, ruffling the younger’s hair lovingly before pinching his nose.

“Alright, fine but make sure you are there tonight.” Jackson gives in before gathering his towel and change of clothes and heads straight for the shower.

Mark smiled, watching Jackson disappearing out of the room while thinking to himself at how his Mandu could be such a baby sometime.

By the time Jackson reached the lobby, most staffs from various department had already gathered while busy chatting away in their own circle of friends.

“Jackson hyung.” Youngjae’s voice was heard causing him to turn towards the source direction before waving at the younger who was standing at a far corner with Bambam.

“Somebody look good today.” Youngjae teased the moment he got near before signalling with his eyes at the number of fangirls watching Jackson while swooning among themselves.

Jackson playfully glare at the younger before smacking his arm which earned chuckles from the amused Youngjae, seeing the blushing older.

Mark just know how to make him strike out in the crowds, Jackson thought to himself as he looked at his complete outfit of the day, totally him from high school days.

 

The trio continue chatting among themselves while the ladies enjoying ogling at the rare eye candy who look a thousand time hotter in casual wear than formal wear.

It didn’t take long before Jaebum appears, instructing everyone to gather around and board the buses that was prepared by the new president to take them to their trip destination.

During the bus ride, Jackson was seated beside Youngjae as they chatted about their latest songs addiction like always, sharing with each other their thoughts on the songs they are into.

After their long animated chat, both of them fall asleep and it wasn’t until Jackson felt somebody tapping his shoulder was he awaken from his deep sleep.

“Hyung, we already arrived.” Youngjae announced, rubbing the sleepiness away from his eyes while Jackson nodded, stretching his stiff body while eyes still half shut.

The moment Jackson alight from the bus, he couldn’t believe his eyes when he saw the sight that greeted him, rubbing his eyes a few times just to make sure he wasn’t seeing things.

“Aren’t this resort difficult to get reservation with especially during peak season?” Bambam commented, directing towards him and Youngjae who was amazed by the location.

“I know, right? It’s considered one of the top resort here in Korea with a rating of five stars.” Youngjae added, remembering how he used to search up pictures of this wonderful resort with hope that he can visit it one day.

“How did these guys knows so much about this place?” Jackson questioned in his head, amazed by the knowledge the duo had about this resort, Kings Resort.

Their conversation stopped when the whole entourage proceeded inside towards the reception and lobby area, lead by their vice president

“Im Jaebum shii.” A friendly figure approached Jaebum, bowing to the vice president while most of the staffs watches the interaction between them including Jackson.

“I would like to welcome you and your entourage to Kings Resort. I’m Henry Lau, resort assistant manager.” The said man now known as Henry introduced himself before smiling especially to the ladies who by now was busy whispering among themselves at how cute he is.

“Thank you.I believe that you will be passing out our room keys right?” Jaebum replied, bowing before asking about the keys since he clearly remembers at how Mark had texted him earlier saying that everything is already prepared, he just needs to get the keys from a certain Henry Lau.

Jackson hides himself in between Youngjae and Bambam, making sure the man talking to Jaebum didn’t notice him which caused him to received weird looks from the two younger ones.

“Are you ok?” Bambam questioned, wandering what with the sudden weird behaviour while Jackson just nodded in response.

He looked back at the conversation, noticing Henry passing Jaebum a bundle of room keys that the vice president instantly start giving out to the ladies first, rooming them in group of three.

With the number of people lessening has they proceed to their respective rooms after receiving their keys, Jackson quickly come up with an excuse to avoid being seen by the resort assistant manager.

“Jae, I’m heading for the toilet. Urgent!” Jackson exclaimed before almost running away, not even waiting for the lost younger to reply.

From the reception area, he turned right before walking straight ahead to the main office instead of the toilet located not to far from the main office.

“President!” A tall charming figure greeted him, the moment he walked into the main office while other staffs that was discussing with the said figure immediately bowed in respect to him before dispersing, leaving their president and resort manager alone to talk.

“Zhoumi ge” Jackson greeted back, bear hugging the older who he already treated like an older brother, his most trusted and favourite staff ever.

Zhoumi smiled seeing at how the younger never changed, still as bright and cheerful as ever.

“Why didn’t you tell me about the company having a trip here?” Jackson enquired, wondering why Zhoumi didn’t update him about this.

“It was requested by the president to keep everything a surprise so that you and your fellows colleagues could enjoy your time here.” Zhoumi informed, remembering how Mark reminded him not to mention anything about him being involve to his own president, the owner of Kings Resort.

Jackson nodded, respecting their client request since he himself didn’t know whose the new president of Majestic Minds.

“Well, how is everything back in Hong Kong? Aunt doing well, it’s been awhile since I visited her.” Jackson questioned, remembering about Zhoumi visit back to Hong Kong last week to visit Wang’s Group, current CEO Rui En Wang.

“She is doing well, busy handling the opening of the latest hotel in Taiwan. She did stated that she missed you though.” Zhoumi replied which cause Jackson to smile at the thought of the only family member he had back in Hong Kong.

About three months after his parents passed on, Rui En had appeared in front of the Tuan’s mansion apologizing and crying while hugging the lost four year old Jackson.

She had explained that she had stayed overseas, in England and wasn’t aware of her older brother and his spouse death until around the week before, that is why it took her so long to come and get Jackson.

Rui En wanted to bring the young Jackson back to Hong Kong while helping to take care of her brother’s company there since she was basically his guardian at that point and Jackson was the sole heir to the Wang’s huge inheritance.

 It wasn’t easy though since Jackson was already used to being with the Tuan family rather than her so she decided to return back to Hong Kong alone, taking care of the company in Jackson’s place while leaving her lovely nephew in the Tuan’s care.

Years had passed and Jackson was supposingly to take over from Rui En about two years ago but the younger refused since he had wanted to keep his current job so he decided on letting Rui En continue managing their chains of hotels and resorts across China while he managed the only Kings resort in Korea.

“I see, she must be excited. I should really visit her soon.”Jackson commented before his handphone beeps, signaling a text.

From: Youngjae

Hyung, are you alright? Where are you? We need to head to our room.

Jackson mentally smacked his head, forgetting about Youngjae who is still probably waiting for him at the reception area.

“Ge, I need to go now. See you around.” Jackson excused himself, side hugging the older before heading out of the main office, with Zhoumi trailing behind him.

“Enjoy your day, sir.” Zhoumi exclaimed before bowing to his boss while Jackson nodded, smiling before walking away, heading towards the area that he comes from earlier.

Unknown to Jackson, Jinyoung who was about to exit the toilet beside the main office witness the scene between him and Zhoumi.

“What is going on?” Jinyoung wondered to himself, clearly seeing the different aura surrounding Jackson when he exited the main office.

As he walked back to the reception area, Jinyoung wonders why the name of this resort seems so familiar, like as if he saw the logo somewhere.

While back at the reception area, Youngjae starts grumbling to himself at how both his roommate is such a pain, making him wait.

“Jae, I’m so sorry.” Jackson apologized the moment he saw the younger standing while holding three backpacks with him.

“It’s fine.” Youngjae sighed, relief to see the older was fine before passing Jackson’s backpack back to it’s owner.

Before Jackson could ask who does the other backpack belongs too, Jinyoung appears beside him and literally pull his backpack out of Youngjae’s hold.

“Can we go already?” Jinyoung grumbled, snatching the keys from Youngjae before walking ahead, leaving the best friends behind.

“Don’t tell me, we are rooming with him?” Jackson exclaimed in horror while Youngjae could only sighs before nodding to the older’s words.

“Mr Chic roomed us together so that he can room with Bambam.” Youngjae explained, whispering the last part to the annoyed Jackson.

“Seriously?” Jackson sighed, already hating this trip because he just got roomed together with his ex.

“Hurry up!” Jinyoung hollered over from the lift area, rolling his eyes at the chatting duo which cause both of them to resist the urge to punch him before literally jogged over to where their chief is.

 

A/N: Hireu! Any line play player here? :) So Jackson actually owns Kings Resort ~ are you guys surprised or was expecting it? Hope you guys enjoy the update, next chapter will be the great reveal ~

BIG THANKS TO nomnombeast, crimsonpeach, illover, issykiss, kmoetz, Huien123, mzfeida, SeventhKing and minhofan32191 FOR SUBSCRIBING!<3 

 <3 InfinitelyCassie