Caesura //

After being unemployed for six months, Park Jimin is desperate to find a job. While walking home from another round of dead end interviews, he wanders into a swanky new business called Second Chances Inc. where he’s greeted by a mysterious figure who offers him a job - on the spot.

After a traumatic event, Jeongguk struggles to reclaim his life and find a bit of normalcy. He accepts a job as a lonely janitor at the Seoul School of Performing Arts. The work isn't glamorous but it pays the bills. But what no one knows is that Jeon Jeongguk isn't just a regular janitor. He's one of the most renown figures in Korea, but he keeps that secret to himself.

Thanks to a gift from his grandmother, Jeongguk is invited to an exclusive appointment with Second Chances where he meets his Consultant, Park Jimin. Together they unravel the keys to Jeongguk’s turbulent past. As he and Jimin begin to build trust, they realize that their involvement with Second Chances may be blurring the lines of morality, forcing them into an inescapable nightmare. No one knows who's a friend and who's out to destroy them.

Author's Note

Most of you know that I've had a very tough year so far. My dad has been ill and it has taken a toll on me physically and mentally with many hours spent in the hospital by his side, sleeping on floors and chairs. But the one thing that kept me going was this story. The tapestry that is woven here became a complete escape from reality. I poured my heart into it, even more than some of my previous stories becuase I felt I needed it to keep me sane. 

I really hope that this theme provokes discussion where we can give our opinions on how we would handle a situation like this (which I believe is coming sooner rahter than later) and where the lines of morality end and begin. Please enjoy. Please leave comments and likes. Hit the yellow button and it will take you to the comment section. I love you my precious DIAMONDS.

Tags:

  • 119,292k
  • Heavy Angst
  • Very NSFW
  • Explicit/Graphic
  • 110k
  • Masturbation
  • Mild Voyerism
  • Salesman Park Jimin
  • Client Jeon Jeongguk
  • Morally Grey Characters
  • Moral dilemma, moral ambiguity

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Chapter Index:

Chapter one - Second Chances

Chapter two - The Sound Of Silence

Chapter three - Thumping of the Wooden Cane  

Chapter four - The Maestro

Chapter five - A Matter of Perspective

Chapter six - Hot Air, Cold Air, No Air

Chapter seven - You Really Shouldn't Refuse

Chapter eight - Fear No Evil 

Epilogue - Enjambment

Chapter One: Second Chances

🍃6938k
🍃Humor
🍃Introductions
🍃Safe for all audiences

__________________________

Jimin found a bench under a tree in the middle of the plaza. Sweat dripped down his back, and the underarms of his silk shirt were stained and wet. The sun pushed through the trees despite the plethora of oblong leaves that dangled from the branches. Steam rose from the street grates as a blurred haze floated over the steamy blacktop.  

It was too hot for a fucking suit. It was much, much too hot for a fucking tie. But if he wanted to make a good impression at his interviews, he had to dress the part of a successful candidate. Every pore on his skin was exuding heat, especially his feet which had been pounding the pavement all day. His toes needed to breathe. As he pulled off his Chelsea boot, he thought back to the interview he’d just left. 

The hiring manager was a prick and a snake who very subtly hinted that Jimin could have the job as long as he agreed to sleep with him. The man who interviewed him was an older man, late fifties with a pig nose and a cheap sandy blonde toupee. He had a crater face full of acne, which was odd for a man of that age.  His insinuation was not subtle. He even suggested that they handle it right there in his private office. Jimin had never been so disgusted in his life. He took careful note of the man’s full name and position so he could report him to his corporate office. Jimin was sure that proposing sexual favors in exchange for a job was against the law.

“These freaks are all the same. They all want you to fuck your way into the job,” he mumbled under his breath as he ripped off his thick cotton socks and aired out his swollen feet and sweaty toes. 

He didn’t have a car so he depended on either the bus or his two feet to get him around. Taking an Uber would have been much easier in the balmy weather, but his funds were low and he just couldn’t afford it. Walking was his only alternative. Being unemployed left him few options in life. “Maybe I should have just fucked him,” he teased as he thought back to the last interviewing manager. 

Several pigeons strutted by, eyeing his bare toes as if they were delicious wiggling worms. Shooing them away with tossed pebbles, he noted how swollen and foreign his feet looked after hours of walking in boots not meant for such treks. His gray suit and blue power tie were impeccably assembled, yet despite enduring six interviews that morning, no job offers had come. Hope was fading. Unemployment had stretched on for five, nearly six months, depleting his savings with rent looming. The past three months’ rent had only been covered by a generous loan from his older sister, but asking her for more felt unbearable. Stress gnawed at him. Finding a job and a way to pay his bills had become urgent necessities.

Just as Jimin pulled his boots and socks back on, his phone rang. He recognized the number. It was one of the companies that he had interviewed with that same morning. He answered right away.

“Hello?” he said as he dabbed his forehead with an engraved handkerchief that his grandmother had given him. “Yes, speaking. This is Park Jimin. Hello Mr. Leong, good to hear from you again. You’re calling with good news, I hope,” Jimin smiled into his phone, as if the caller could see him. But his smile slowly faded as the man on the other line continued to speak.

“Hello, Mr. Park. It was good to speak to you this morning. Thank you for coming in. We have reviewed your qualifications and…well…we’ve decided to go with another candidate. We do wish you well with your job search.” The caller disconnected.

Jimin snickered and shrugged. It was rare for a company to actually call him back. Most of them hid behind templated emails that offered no real feedback on why he hadn’t been chosen. The entire job search left him feeling inadequate, unqualified and useless, even though he knew he was none of the above. 

Removing his blazer, he draped it across his lap. The bench beneath him felt hot and uncomfortable, causing even his balls to sweat. With one more interview scheduled, he chose to skip it, having lied on his resume to match the job’s qualifications and feeling unwilling to navigate another round of poorly designed questions. Job or no job, the day was over for him. Unbuttoning the top three buttons of his dress shirt, he loosened his tie. Sweat drenched the locks of his sandy blonde hair. Unable to continue in the sweltering heat, he decided it was time to begin the long walk home.

Using the last 7000 won in his pocket, he dropped into an ice cream shop and purchased a cup of fruit covered yogurt. Blueberries, blackberries and pineapples were piled on top, chilled until they were almost frozen. The icy flavors burst across his tongue with each chomp between his teeth. The blissful sensation was  immediate. Coiled waves of yogurt cooled his dry, warm mouth, lightening his somber mood. He hung the spoon upside down on the tip of his tongue while absorbing the rich vanilla flavor. And with that, he started towards home again.

The quickest way back to his apartment was to walk the same route as the bus. There were plenty of tall buildings along the way that could intermittently provide shade as he trudged down the hot grey asphalt. There was nothing he could do about the blaring sun beating down on him. He had no protection for his eyes since he had sold his pricey Louis Vuitton sunglasses to pay his overdue electric bill. He blocked his face with his open palm to protect himself from the sunrays.

It was lunchtime and the city was buzzing. Happy people with jobs peppered the sidewalk as they met up with friends and coworkers to eat expensive lunches. The streets were crowded despite the heat.  If his circumstances had been a bit more stable, he would have recognized that it was a beautiful day. There wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Street musicians were busking in the town square and food trucks lined the streets outside of the restaurants. The weather was enjoyable for those who dressed properly for it. The city felt full of positivity, if such a trait could be assigned. But Jimin didn’t share in all of the positive vibes that surrounded him. He was too bitter. It was much easier to linger in his past failures than be optimistic about future successes. 

Twenty minutes into his walk home, Jimin noticed a newly remodeled  building towards the middle of the block. The building was previously a bakery owned by a local married couple. They were nice enough, even though their baked goods were always stale and bland. But seemingly overnight the entire building had been overhauled and turned into a swanky storefront that sold…well Jimin wasn’t exactly sure what they sold. He stopped at the front window and peered through to the back of the store to see a rotund older gentleman sitting at a large mahogany desk. There were multiple computer screen’s behind embedded in the wall.

“Hmph. What in the world is this? Second Chances…,” Jimin read the luxurious looking neon sign overhead. “Nice place,” he shrugged. He was about to continue on his way until he saw something else that caught his attention; a sign sitting in the window that read ‘Help Wanted.’ Jimin perked up. His back stiffened as the possibilities ran through his head. He needed a job and this place needed workers. It seemed like a great opportunity, despite Jimin not being completely sure of what the job was about. 

The empty yogurt bowl was tossed in the trash. He straightened his tie and whirled his suit jacket over his shoulders before fitting his arms into the sleeves. There was a splash of blueberry juice on his tie, but that didn’t matter, it was barely noticeable. With both of his hands, he aggressively swept his long blonde hair backwards, away from his face. Clenching his black leather satchel, he stepped into the building with a confident gait and a killer smile. 

Jimin was immediately cooled by the powerful air conditioning. It felt so good that he breathed in deeply just to feel the cool air fill his lungs. The beads of sweat disappeared almost immediately and the warm wet stains in his shirt dried with a crisp. He looked around. The place was even nicer inside; plush ornate rugs, hard wood floors, and opulent lighting that featured a large chandelier hanging from the middle of the room. Every finish was rich, luxurious - similar to being in an exclusive resort or hotel. Jimin raised his left eyebrow. The place didn’t exactly fit the neighborhood, but none of that was of any consequence because Jimin’s immediate mission was to inquire about the available job that was advertised in the window.

He made his way to the wooden desk where the fat man was sitting. “Welcome to Second Chances, how may I help you today?” He said as he spun around in his leather chair and faced Jimin. 

“Hello, sir. Park Jimin. I’m inquiring about the uh…sign in the window. The ‘help wanted’ sign.” Jimin gestured back towards the front of the shop.

“Uh yes, yes. YES! Very good.” The man hopped from the chair unsteadily, gripping the surface of the desk with his meaty hand. He seemed a bit stunned by Jimin’s sudden appearance. It was covered in rings that all looked to be platinum. His black suit was designer, possibly couture. Jimin recognized the quality right away. Whatever this business was, it obviously paid well. 

“Can you tell me what exactly you’re looking for in a candidate?”

“Have a seat young man. My name is Lee Si-Hyuk. I’m the owner and manager here at Second Chances. My instincts tell me that you’re exactly what I’m looking for.” Si-Hyuk rolled a large, expensive looking leather chair towards Jimin for him to sit. 

Jimin smiled. He wondered what exactly about him made him a great candidate for a job that hadn’t even been explained yet. His vibes told him that it was his looks that qualified him. Jimin was a very attractive man with his long blonde tresses and chiseled face. But throughout his professional career, his looks had become both a blessing and a curse. He wondered which would prevail in this latest quest for employment. 

“Exactly what you’re looking for? How so?” Jimin placed his black satchel upon the desk and rifled through to produce a hard copy of his resume. He always kept them handy for circumstances such as this. “What position are you hiring for?”

“You’ve come prepared. Excellent. Excellent. My instincts never fail me. Let’s just say this position is uhh-err…,” Si-Hyuk gave it some thought before answering, “...sales. Yes, sales.” 

“Sales? That’s great.”

“You have experience I presume?” He took a mildly interested glance at Jimin’s resume.

“Yes. As you can see from my resume, my last job was in finance and accounting, but prior to that I was in sales with Samsung Insurance Company. Mostly car insurance, life insurance, that kind of thing. But I was a salesperson, paid on commission.” 

Jimin looked up to find Si-Hyuk staring eerily at him. The elder man’s gaze made him uncomfortable. Jimin could see clearly that the man was assessing his looks, not his qualifications. He feared that another quid pro quo request to suck the man’s dick in exchange for the job was forthcoming. Something in his gaze definitely felt lust fueled.

“Yes, yes, yes,” the man said as he eyed Jimin from head to toe. “You will have them under your spell the moment they step through the door. He greedily rubbed his hands together as if contemplating a fresh meal. “We could go far together, Mr. Park. You could make my bottom line look very good. Very good indeed.” 

“Under my spell, sir? I’m not sure I understand. What kind of sales are you looking for me to provide?”

“I need you to sell care…understanding…hope. The illusion of wholeness. And the sale starts when they first walk through that door. Your eyes are kind. Your manner is meek and gentle. Your voice is soothing, comforting. You’ll have them opening their hearts to you the moment they encounter you. You see…this job requires more than just a resume full of experience. It requires a person - the right person. My product sells itself, you won’t have to work overly hard to convince the world that they need it. But it all starts with trust. You’re someone who can be trusted. Isn’t that right, Mr. Park?”

“Trusted? Well, I guess. Yea. I try to be honest and dependable. When I was in insurance, I worked hard to provide the best product at the best price. I listened to what my customers needed.” Jimin was in interview mode. He had the feeling that the job was already his, he just needed to bring it home and assure his potential boss that he was the man he was looking for. “I’m a very hard worker. Here is my list of references,” Jimin handed him another piece of paper. “I can assure you that no matter what we sell here, I’ll maximize your profits and hit all of my sales incentives.”

“I’m sure you will.” Si-Hyuk leaned back in his chair. He twisted back and forth as he pondered. With his index finger touched to his chin, he said more, “Tell me about your life.”

“My…I’m sorry what?”

“Your life. What were your most difficult challenges? How did you overcome them? What have been your happiest moments? How did you embrace them?”

Jimin was caught off guard. The interview was strange. The man was strange. The place was strange and he still had no idea what the fuck he was interviewing for. Yet a part of him really liked the question. It gave him a small glimpse into what the man named Si-Hyuk was really after.

Jimin lowered his chin and leaned forward, “My mother’s death. That was…I mean I was not in a good place after she died. She fought a long illness, a nasty cruel illness. I was twenty one. I still needed her. I was too young to lose her. Yet the world considered me a man, not a child, and subsequently people expected me to move on. Be tough. Accept her death and be strong about it. That wasn’t my reality though.” The kindness in Si-Hyuk’s eyes made him continue, purging thoughts that should have never been shared with a stranger. “I felt lost. I didn’t understand the world anymore. That was ten years ago, but it feels like yesterday.”

“Ahh, but still you exist Mr. Park. You have continued. You have found your way. You have - overcome. How?”

“By living every single day. By refusing to give up. By accepting that life is predetermined in many ways and there was nothing I could have done to change her outcome. She would not want me to suffer without healing. So I healed as an honor and tribute to her.”

Si-Hyuk’s eyes lit up. It was if every word Jimin said was what he needed to hear. He continued, “And your triumphs? Tell me about your happiest times?”

“Definitely when my nephew was born. He’s eight months old now. Already talking. He calls me Unky Geemen. The joy of my life. My sister and I are very close. She’s my best friend and the one who keeps me going.”

“And your nephew’s name?” Si-Hyuk asked.

“Aran. The cutest, most clever boy in Korea.”

“Says you. My grandson Taehyung is pretty cute as well,” Si-Hyuk remarked. 

“If you’ll forgive me, sir, why this strange line of questioning? This doesn’t feel like a very good assessment of my qualifications.”

“Oh it is a perfect assessment of your qualifications. As I said before Mr. Park, my product sells itself. But anyone selling my product has to have a story to tell. They have to have experienced life, the good, the bad and the ugly because that is truly the only way to understand the suffering of those you will encounter. Once that trust is built, once they know you are one of them, they will make themselves vulnerable to you and that’s when they will open their wallets to you. Your journey is the qualification for this job, Mr. Park. Not your dabbles in the world of Life Insurance,” Si-Hyuk twisted left and right in his chair. His chubby fingers were clasped together as he explained himself. 

It was at that moment that Jimin realized he had misinterpreted the older gentleman’s interest in him. The truth was that Si-Hyuk saw dollar signs when he looked at Jimin. A cash cow. His eagerness to proceed with him had nothing to do with wanting him sexually, and everything to do with the money he felt that Jimin could bring to his business venture. With that understanding, Jimin relaxed and proceeded with more questions.

“So you’re saying that your clients need someone who is relatable?”

“Yes, yes indeed. The people who come to me for my services are from all walks of life. They are all very wealthy, the highest net worth members of Seoul society; idols, athletes, military, actors, businessmen. But the one thing they all have in common is that they are looking for - peace.”

Jimin laughed, “I hardly think I have the ability to give anyone peace. That seems like a rather specific self-fulfilling journey that each individual must find for themselves. Just my humble opinion.”

“Don’t underestimate yourself Mr. Park. Here at Second Chances, we change lives. We rebuild lives. We…save lives.” Si-Hyuk frowned, “Oh forgive me. Would you like a cup of coffee or a soda? Maybe some caviar? Or I could order you a nice lunch from the French restaurant down the street.”

Caviar? Jimin thought to himself. What a very elaborate offering for a guy off the street who was just interviewing for a job. “I’m not hungry or thirsty but thank you.” Jimin’s mind was reeling. After an hour of talking to Si-Hyuk, he was just as confused as he was when he first stepped into the place. “Well can you tell me more about what will be expected of me and…the pay?”

“Now we’re getting down to business,” Si-Hyuk laughed. His slick black and grey hair framed the sides of his head. His lips were too thin for all of the cheeks and nose stored on his face. But in his own way, he was an attractive man.  His smile was warm and gentle. Jimin couldn’t quite figure out why, but he trusted him. He believed in his vision or at least Si-Hyuk’s version of it. “Most of our clients are sent to us through referrals. We have a very connected network of sources. You’ll never have to make cold calls or solicit anyone. There is plenty of business to go around - too much business in fact which is why I need help. I have two other gentlemen working here, one is my son and the other is a gentleman who also had an interesting life journey,” Si-Hyuk laughed. “At any rate, I need help, another full time salesman who can help set up appointments and do the interviews. Our clients have very specific needs and each of our solutions is highly customized. That requires work, building rapport and settling on the uh…best package.”

“Package?”

“Yes, our services all come in packages. And that brings me to your pay. This work is not for the faint of heart, but if you work hard, build relationships and put your client’s needs first, you will walk away a very wealthy man. Our SIP, or Sales Incentive Plan is 35%, which means you receive 35% commission on every package that you sell. In addition, you will receive a base salary, but that pales in comparison to what you will be making on a weekly basis through your SIP. I’m sure you will soon find it satisfying to donate your base salary to your favorite charity because you won’t need it.” Si-Hyuk was so confident in his statement that Jimin wondered if he was lying to him. That is until he noticed Si-Hyuk’s Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore 21 carat diamond watch. It was one that Jimin was very familiar with from his younger days of collecting watches with his father. The watch was worth over One billion KRW or 1.3 million in U.S. dollars and this man was just casually wearing it on a random Tuesday. Once again Jimin looked around the building. Everything was of the finest quality. This man was not just talking to hear himself speak, he seemingly had the financial success to back up his talk of the financial possibilities within the business. “Should we come to an agreement for you to start, you’ll have a fully funded retirement plan and insurance. Selling the highest package comes with a round trip ticket to your choice of location for you and a loved one. Anywhere in the world…,” Si-Hyuk was interrupted. 

“Dad? Sorry I’m late. I can take over from here…,” Si-Hyuk’s son Mingyu walked through the door. Jimin’s eyes caught his reflection in the mirror. He was quite taken aback by how familiar the man looked. He too wore a couture suit with expensive shoes and a ridiculously priced watch. Mingyu was tall, well over 180 meters. He strutted through the front office like a billion Won athlete. Deep within the creases of Mingyu’s face, he could see Si-Hyuk’s image. Like father, like son.

“Hello. My apologies. I didn’t realize you were with a client,” Mingyu smiled brightly with a bow.

Jimin choked on his own spit. The man was fucking gorgeous. He stood to his feet quickly to return his bow. 

Si-Hyuk corrected his son, “No, not a client. Something much more important - a new employee.”

Mingyu’s eyes sparkled with excitement. Once again Jimin found himself being ogled like a Christmas hen. A slow methodical smile spread over the younger Mingyu’s face. “Oh father. He’s…a good one.” He placed his hands behind his back and walked around Jimin in a tight circle, leaving little space between them. 

“Ming, this is Park Jimin. I have spent the last glorious hour interviewing him for our open sales position.”

“Park Jimin, Nice to meet you. My God, even your name is perfect. What brings you here? How did you learn about our opening?” Mingyu asked.

“There’s a sign in the window. I was on my way home and I saw it. I-I’ve been searching for a job for the last six months and haven’t had much luck. I’m starting to get desperate so I thought I would give it a try.”

“Lucky for us you are uh..desperate,” Mingyu teased. “I hope you don’t take your inability to secure a job personally. I’m sure it’s not at all a reflection of your skills. Things are tight in the economy right now. Investor markets are scared. Political instability can cause a retraction in the economy. Companies aren’t hiring because they’re unsure and in fear of recession. That’s the benefit of our industry. We’re recession proof.” Mingyu winked.

“Mr. Park, you haven’t accepted my offer,” The elder Lee Si-Hyuk remarked.

“You haven’t exactly extended an offer…,” Jimin reminded them. 

Si-Hyuk nodded, “Come work for us. Sign the contract and we’ll do a ninety day trial and if it works out, great. If it doesn’t, you’re free to leave to pursue something more to your liking. But somehow, I think you’re going to love it here.”

Everything in Jimin’s gut told him that the offer was too good to be true. He couldn’t help but question if the two smooth talking men were trying to coax him out of money or link him to a scheme. Yet the promise of financial success seemed too good to pass up, especially considering that Jimin’s rent was due and he had no money to pay it. He was borderline homeless and the thought of moving in with his sister in Busan was miserable. 

“You still seem hesitant.” Mingyu stepped forward and placed his hand on Jimin’s shoulder. “Let me speak to you from the heart. I don’t believe in coincidences. We’ve been interviewing for six months to fill this position, even before we moved to this new location. No one has been able to pass my daddy’s vibe check - no one except you. Trust me when I tell you, he knows what it takes to be successful in our business. Everything we do is perfectly legal and if you work really hard, you may find this to be the most satisfying work you’ve ever done. My father placing that sign in the window and you stumbling upon it is not a coincidence. This was…meant to be. Please join us. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.”

“Will I receive training on…,”

“Yes…as needed,” Mingyu insisted. 

Jimin turned his back to both of them. Once again he walked around the swanky interior and studied the fine art on the walls, the crystal chandelier and the custom made furniture. It was time for him to take a chance, jump without a safety net for once in his life. Afterall, his sister was a lawyer and she could look through his contract to make sure it was legit. He really had nothing to lose.

“I would like to have the contract reviewed by my attorney. If everything checks out, then yes, I will join you.”

“Perfectly fine by us. We have nothing to hide,” The elder Lee advised. 

“Then we have a deal,” Jimin thrusted his hand forward with an offer of a handshake. 

Both Mingyu and Si-Hyuk broke into joyful smiles. They shook Jimin’s hand vigorously and patted him on the shoulder. 

“If you can start tomorrow, then I can guarantee that you’ll be shopping for a fancy new car by the end of the month,” Si-Hyuk advised. 

Jimin laughed. He felt the man must have been joking. 

“I’m not kidding,” Si-Hyuk explained.

“No, he’s very serious,” Mingyu added.

“A new car?” Jimin looked around. What in the world could they be selling that would end up with him being able to afford a new car within a month’s time? What were these two up to and why were they so confident about the money that Jimin would make? “Ok, ok, now that I’m officially on board, can you please explain to me what exactly we’re selling?” Jimin asked, still confused.

The son and father looked at each other and smiled, answering simultaneously, “Second Chances, of course.”

 

October 10th - ninety days Later…

Jimin pulled into his designated spot behind the main building. He parked his 2035 Hyundai Palisade into the Employee of the Month   parking space. He was indeed the Employee of the month for the second month in a row. 

The black Breitling watch on his wrist revealed that he was over two hours early for his next client meeting. It didn’t matter because that was the kind of dedication to the job that had gotten him so far. The money was incredible. The work was satisfying. The products sold themselves. All of it was just as the Lee’s had promised when Jimin first signed on. Within only three months of working at Second Chances, Jimin had eliminated his debt and amassed significant savings as a rainy day fund. He was even able to pay his sister back for all of the money she’d loaned him while he was unemployed. 

His matte black Christian Louboutins crushed over the scattered brown leaves on the cement as he stood from the driver’s side door. He reached back into the car to pull free a black trench coat that he dropped over his shoulders. The weather was cooler as they entered mid October. The debris in the back alley circled with the wind, blowing over Jimin’s fancy shoes and bruising against his expensive trench coat. He used his key code to enter the building through the reinforced steel black door. He was met immediately by a smiling Mingyu who was sorting through his files.

“What’s up bro?” Mingyu and Jimin slapped hands in a friendly greeting.

“Hey Ming. What’s got you so excited?”

“Remember that widow from Itchaewon?”

“Of course. The one you’ve been working on for the last four weeks.”

“Yea, that one. Well she finally signed the full package. That’s right. Your boy is going on an all expenses paid trip to…shit I don’t even know…but that’s for the wife to figure out.”

“Congrats man! That’s incredible. How much is the deal worth?” Jimin asked.

“A cool 8 Billion Won.”

“HOLY SHIT!” Jimin fell against the wall, “We - we can make that kind of money from selling the highest package?”

“We sure can. It’s a lot of work but if you can get them to commit, they won’t regret it. I’ve never had a dissatisfied customer.”

“You know, when you and your dad told me how lucrative this was, I didn’t believe you. But that was before I saw the product. Your dad’s invention is nothing short of genius. And there’s such a huge demand. But Mingyu, how long do you think you can corner the market on this kind of service? I mean…why aren’t competitors knocking down your door?” Jimin asked honestly.

“Because my dad is smarter than they are. He anticipated early on that there would be elements of his invention that would be easy to steal and even easier to mass manufacture. That’s why he trademarked every single bit of the engine that feeds the model. No one can dare offer anything even close to what he’s created without the risk of being sued into poverty. And much of his invention is proprietary with the mechanics being protected under lock and key. Kind of like the secret formula to Coca-Cola,” Mingyu laughed. 

“This is unbelievable. How did I get so lucky as to stumble into what may be the most innovative invention known to mankind?”

“He’s had thousands of offers to buy it. And one day he will sell when the time is right.”

“You seriously would sell? This is your legacy, your birthright. Something that I would think you would pass on to little Taehyung.”

“This company comes with…baggage. I’ve made a very good living working with dad, but I don’t know that this is what I want to be my legacy. I don’t know how I would feel about relegating my boy to working here for the rest of his life. Because that’s what legacy means. I don’t think I’m ready to sign him up for that - or me.” There was a hint of sadness in his explanation.  

Jimin couldn’t understand what was at the root of his feelings but he didn’t exactly care. Mingyu’s family business was just that - family business. 

As for Jimin, all he cared about was the money. Never had he worked a job so lucrative. The elder Lee had known from first sight that Jimin would excel, even if Jimin himself didn’t believe it. And the key to Jimin’s success? His journey and his good looks, just as Si-Hyuk had prophesied. Jimin played up both of his assets to every client who came his way.  His warmth and charisma were always his way in.

It wasn’t until Jimin started working there that he realized that not only had the Second Chances business taken over the bakery, but it had also taken over the shoe store and the pharmacy that were next door. The end result was a massive headquarters that housed a large office, a consultation room for clients and thirteen individual private rooms known as the Private Room Of Duplication or PRODs for short. 

Jimin’s latest client was a tough nut to crack. Despite a full court press, he was unable to get her to advance to higher tier packages. She had the means, she had the money, she had the time, but she just wouldn’t bite. She became one of Jimin’s most difficult cases because she was completely immune to his charms. Her name was Gong Hyo-jin, only twenty-nine years old, much too young to be in a place like Second Chances. The circumstances that brought her there were a mixture of fate and bad luck. At first, she was easy. She purchased several of the lower tier products and never questioned any of them. She was happy, turning the corner and feeling more alive each day. She never missed a session. 

Each week she arrived, dressed in her finest silk dress and stiletto heels. Fresh from the salon, her face was always painted with fancy make-up for each session. She was exquisite, classy and demure. Jimin completely understood how she had risen to such social prominence amongst Seoul’s wealthiest community. She was very attractive and many rich men were strewn at her doorstep, hoping to be the next lucky winner of her affection. 

But Hyo-jin was not capable of moving on to the next. She was suspended in a place and time from which she couldn’t escape. Before she started her sessions with Jimin, Hyo-jin hadn’t smiled in years. There was true value in the service, Jimin just had to find a way to make her see it and - make her want more. He combed over her file wondering where he had made his mistake. 

Mingyu teased him almost daily about being too aggressive. He said stroking the younger ladies out of their money was like giving them a good fuck. It needed to be nice and slow, with strokes that hit in just the right corners. Ming said that he once he made them cum, he had to keep them cumming over and over again. He couldn’t just focus on his needs, it all had to be about them. 

Maybe because Jimin was gay, he couldnt’ relate to any analogies that involved fucking women, but overall he understood what Mingyu was trying to tell him. And that was Jimin’s rookie mistake. He’d rushed her too fast. He saw a prime target walk through the door and he was so focused on trying to get her to bite on the big package, that he overlooked the opportunity to build slowly. Somehow, even in her diminished state of mind, Hyo-jin picked up on Jimin’s eagerness to push her to buy more. And that was where he almost lost the entire account. She threatened to leave, and she was willing to break a six year contract she had signed. 

It was a collosal fuck up. He had to recalibrate and come up with a plan to get her back on track. But how? How? He had two hours to figure it out before she showed up for her next session. 

 

“Mrs. Gong. So nice to see you.” Jimin bowed. “Your PROD is ready.”

“Good evening, Jimin. How do I look?” Mrs. Gong fished for a compliment.

“Absolutely incredible, as always. My goodness, Mr. Gong is a lucky man.”

“Thank you, Jimin. Your flirt game is on point.” 

Jimin rubbed his fingers through his pale blonde hair, “Before you start your session in the PROD, may I talk to you for a moment?” Jimin bowed again.

“Well, I’m rather anxious to get started…is this important?”

“Very. I wouldn’t interrupt if it wasn’t.” 

“Fine.” Mrs. Gong agreed.

Jimin led Mrs. Gong to the consulting room. He sat her down at the head of the glass table, “Would you like a cup of coffee or maybe a glass of wine? We have a vintage 1955 Merlot, dry slightly bitter, just the way you like it.”

“What is it Jimin? Why did you call me here?”

“Let’s just rip the bandaid right off. I have a difficult truth to share with you and you’re not going to like it. Mrs. Gong, my original assessment of your situation resulted in me overlooking some of your critical needs.”

“What are you saying?”

“I’m saying that I didn’t provide you with the excellence of care that my company promises. I’ve made some critical mistakes. I’ve mismanaged your account, misread your needs, betrayed your trust. My one role here at Second Chances was to assure that you truly have a second chance. My role was to send you down the right path, the path that would fulfill you and restore your spirit. I haven’t done that. As you so eloquently called out last week, I’ve tried to push you towards products that don’t align with your journey. And for that, I apologize. I’m going to recommend that your services here be terminated and you be given a full refund. In addition, once I refund your account, I’ll be resigning my position here,” Jimin said without blinking. 

He stood at the front of the room, a few meters from Mrs. Gong. His custom black suit was nowhere near the quality brands worn by his bosses, but he showcased quality clothing with an impeccable sense of fashion. The line of demarcation between him and other simpletons his age was sharp. And it was all due to the new wealth he’d acquired since working with the Lee family. 

His expensive black shoes tapped against the hardwood as he paced back and forth with his hands behind his back. He showed contrition, with the proper dose of humility as he explained to Mrs. Gong all the ways that he had failed her.

She sat up in her chair, red gloss sparkling in her reflection on the glass. “Are you terminating me from the service? Is that what you’re doing?”

“It is not what I want. But time and weeks of reflection have given me perspective. Yes. I’m terminating the agreement. You are free to leave, starting today if you’d like. This is all my fault which is why I’m offering a full refund.”

“You can’t do this. You can’t…make me leave. I was dead inside until I discovered this place. My entire life has changed. How can you say that you misread my needs when you’ve given me exactly what I needed ? No, Jimin. I won’t go. I won’t allow you to do this to me.”

“I’m afraid it isn’t your choice. Once I discovered my mistake, my supervisor asked an independent source to review the terms of our contract and the solutions that we offered for your particular problem. They agreed that my plan was inadequate. I’m afraid I was kissed on the lips by ambition and I allowed that to blind my assessment. That’s why I’m resigning.”

“You can’t. You can’t leave. I won’t let you. You’ve done nothing wrong. It was me…I’m the one who fucked this up. I treated you harshly, unfairly when all you were trying to do was elevate my experience. Please, Jimin, you can’t kick me out. You can’t take this away from me!” Mrs. Gong jumped from her feet and grabbed the lapels of Jimin’s suit as she pleaded with him.

“You have my deepest apologies.” Jimin touched her gently on the elbow, “I’ll show you out.” 

“NO!” She screamed. She yanked her arm away from Jimin and begged him, “YOU CAN’T DO THIS,” she said with desperation. “PLEASE! I’ll do whatever you want. I won’t let you take away my services. I’ll, I’ll…,” she searched her mind for a way to save herself. She could tell that Jimin was serious about kicking her out. “I’ll buy a bigger package. The one you pitched to me last week. I’ll buy that. I'll buy two if it saves me. Please Jimin. Please. Where do I sign? How can I fix this?” Mrs. Dong continued to beg.

“I can’t let you do that. Please don’t fight me on this, just agree to…,”

“NO!” She searched through her purse, “In fact I’ll sign it right now. I have the brochure you gave me last week. I still have it, it’s here somewhere.” She dumped the contents of her purse onto the glass table.

“Are you…sure that you want to do this?” Jimin asked calmly as he watched her search.

“Yes. I’m sure. I’m positive,” Mrs. Gong found the offer that Jimin had provided the previous week. With a quick whip of her pen, she signed it, agreeing to a 1Billion Won package of exclusive services. 

It was one of the higher tiers offered by Second Chance and she had just purchased it. It was the score of the century and Jimin, the consummate salesman, had just talked his way right into it.

She slid the paper over to him with desperation in her eyes. “There. We can start the new services tonight. Whatever it takes, just don’t…don’t make me leave. Don’t take this from me.”

Jimin folded his arms behind his back, “I misjudged you again. I thought you were unhappy here. I thought that my mistake was so egregious that it had ruined your experience. I guess I was wrong. I’m sorry for what I almost did to you. Yes, Mrs. Gong, you can stay. We will continue to provide your visits as agreed. But now that you’ve upgraded, we’ll be cultivating a whole new experience for you.” Jimin checked his watch, “Look at the time. Your session is about to begin. You’re in PROD 10 this evening. Your usual bottle of champagne is there as well as the caviar you ordered. Enjoy your evening Mrs. Gong. We appreciate your business here at Second Chances.”

Jimin smirked as he exited the room.

***

Chapter Index

Chapter Two: Sound of Silence

🌱12983
🌱Safe for all audiences
🌱Angst begins
🌱Introduction to Jeon Jeongguk

_________________________

Jeon Nara leaned on her cane as she slowly shuffled through the lobby of Seoul Central Mental Health Clinic. Her shawl slipped from her shoulder and draped around her elbow when she lifted her frail hand to sign in. She waited patiently for the front desk nurse to acknowledge her. Per her routine, her large crocheted bag was full of freshly baked treats; small trinkets of affection for her grandson, the only living family she had left. 

“Mrs. Jeon. You’re early. Right this way.” The front desk attendant, Roberta Singh, finally looked up at the beautiful elderly woman. 

Nara’s long grey hair was thick and wavy, slightly unkempt due to her inability to fully extend her right arm to brush it. Decades of loneliness rested within the fine lines of her wrinkled face. She shared her grandson’s dimples, one of the only remaining marks of her youth. Traces of beauty remained, even at the age of Ninety-one.

“Hello Roberta. Please tell the doctor that I’m here and I wish to see her immediately. I’m anxious to discuss my grandson’s progress…or lack thereof,” she said with a bite. “Dr. Yuri assured me that she would have the results today from the last round of tests she performed on my grandson.”

Nurse Singh snapped to attention. She made a call to the Doctor to announce Nara’s arrival. 

 

Nara Jeon was of generational prestige, in name only. Her golden floruit had passed decades prior, yet she still commanded a great deal of respect out of the city’s appreciation for the Jeon legacy. In her youth, Nara was the most sought after socialite in Seoul. The last living survivor of three children born to Jeon Jyhun, International Steel manufacturer, she and her family represented the old lineage of Seoul. However, thanks to a surfeit of tragic, life altering events, Nara and her grandson remained the only living heirs from the Jeon lineage. Even her son, Jeongguk’s father, and his wife were gone.

  

Once again she tightened her shawl across her shoulders as the cane lifted gently from the ground, guiding her unsteady steps towards her grandson’s room. 

The corridor was dim and depressing, despite the egg shell colored walls and matching tile floors. Each door she passed was clustered in locks; to keep the inhabitants inside no doubt. She looked at the walls around her and stared blankly at the art pieces. The art seemed puerile in contrast to the dank solemn purpose of the hospital. She wondered what obtuse designer had decided on such unserious decor for a facility full of patients suspended in psychological hell.  

This was Nara’s 51st visit in as many weeks. Nothing had changed despite the team of specialists she hired to improve her grandson’s condition. She felt anger and confusion, hopelessness and sadness, everything she was supposed to feel and a whole lot of stuff she wasn’t supposed to feel. It was not her intention to take it out on the boy but sometimes her frustration boiled over because she wanted so desperately to get through to him. At times she wondered if he was playing a cruel joke, pretending his way through mental illness just to avoid facing his demons. 

Nara’s hip began to ache. The hip replacement surgery she’d had years before left her permanently handicapped and reliant on a cane. The doctors called the surgery successful, but the reality contradicted their assessment. As such, she leaned heavily on her cane, barely able to move her stiff right leg without it. As she approached the end of the long hallway, she signaled the nurse for a rest. 

“Would you like a wheelchair? It may make the long trip a bit easier,” Nurse Roberta Singh asked.

“No. No, of course not. I’m fine,” Nara said stubbornly. But Nara was not fine. Advanced heart disease, failing kidneys and a bevy of other medical issues were taking their toll. Everyday she awakened was both a miracle and a curse. She welcomed death, but not until it was time. Nara and the grim reaper both agreed that it was not time. She had a mission to complete first  - a mission to save her grandson.

 

It was dark in the room. She made a mental note to admonish Roberta for allowing him to sit in total darkness. He needed light, fresh air because it was only through those things that a tiny morsel of optimism could find its way back to him. 

Nara took a deep breath as she stepped into the room. Despite the excruciating pain in her hips and legs, she walked briskly, mimicking the posture of someone much younger. She needed him to see her strength. All frailties had to be repressed regardless of the painful consequences. She walked forward towards the window, allowing her cane to slip from her hands and slap to the floor with a loud clap against the tile. With both hands she clasped the edges of the curtain and snatched them open to reveal an oversized window that overlooked the swimming pool. Bright fiery sunlight poured into the room, illuminating every dark corner and shifting the hues from grey to white. 

The young man behind her hid his face with his hands and looked away. She was sure she heard a Vampiric hiss from his lips.

She spun around, “How many times have I told you to open the curtain? Sitting here in the dark just feeds into whatever the hell has held your tongue captive for all of these months.” She smiled. Her joke was crass but truthful. 

She leaned over unsteadily to rescue her cane from the ground and then shuffled forward, desperate for a seat. As closely as she could sit, she scooted next to her grandson. 

He blinked several times. She took that as a hello. “Hi Baby. How’s it going today?” She dropped the hooked portion of her cane over her wrist so that she could grab his cheeks with both of her wrinkled hands.

 

He was perfectly-abled, the man she called her grandson. Well dressed, well groomed, clean, freshly shaven and centered; he held the auspice of someone with a strong sense of eucrasia. For outsiders, it was absolutely impossible to pinpoint anything that was amiss. But in Nara’s cruel world, everything about her grandson was amiss and had been so for many, many months. 

Jeon Jeongguk sat with his hands folded in his lap. Pale skin  covered his face, hands and neck, a side effect of months without adequate sun. His hair was much longer than past years and when the light struck him just right, he became the splitting image of his twin sister. He sat upright in a hard wooden chair with faded red cushions that lined the seat and the back. Straight ahead, without twisting left or right, he stared at the sterile wall; his face expressionless and dispassionate.

“Look at me.” Nara struck him firmly under the chin to force his head up so that she could see his pitiful, sad eyes. “I’m here. You will give me attention. It is only the polite thing to do,” she kissed him on his forehead and smiled down into his sullen face. “Forgive me for being late. My driver is out sick and his substitute is rather stupid. Instead of using his GPS to sort out the directions, he insisted that he ‘knew where the place was’,” Nara laughed, “Turns out he had no fucking idea where this place was. Anyway…we got lost. I finally used my own damn phone to pull up Apple maps. I may be old, but I know my way around technology. Thanks to you.” 

Jeongguk’s head slowly dipped back to a neutral position. He no longer made eye contact with his grandmother. In fact he no longer made eye contact with anything. His gaze was distant, barren. No matter how many times Nara had seen his listless visage, it never failed to break her heart. 

“So how have you been? You look like shit. I’ve repeatedly asked that new nurse to make sure that you go for a walk every single day. He has repeatedly ignored my instruction. A nice firm cane to the nuts should get him in order - quickly. I’ll teach him to disregard my instructions.” Nara produced a comb from her crocheted purse and proceeded to organize Jeongguk’s long hair. She tucked it behind his ears after sliding a crooked-center part through the silky black strands. “Sun is good for you, Ggukie . It gives you Vitamin D - that helps tremendously with depression…or whatever the hell we’re dealing with here.” She looked around the room for anything that might spark more topics of conversation, “The bed. Did you make the bed? That’s a very good sign if you did. Oh Ggukie …this is progress. This is something,” she smiled half-heartedly. Although it was possible that her grandson made his own bed, it was more probable that one of the staff did it. But she chose to hitch that task to her grandson’s free will because it satisfied her and made her feel hopeful.

Her legs were stiff and she was in pain. But she continued to display herself as if she hadn’t a care in the world. Given the circumstances, she proceeded to remove her crochet needles and continue work on the sweater that she was knitting for him. 

“I hope you like purple. This yarn was on sale for 90% off. I was able to buy 75 rolls using just the change in my coin purse. I guess no one really fucks around with purple.” She rocked back and forth in her seat as she worked on the slip stitches around the shoulders. “Last week I saw that guy you used to date. The one with the furry eyebrows. Well, I call it dating, but I think you kids these days call it a hookup. I imagine that means just sex.” Nara giggled. “Do you remember him? I think his name was…uh…uh…Do-yun? I always thought he was a loser. I still think that. I told him so, to his face. He was after you for your ass. He never really cared about you. He called me rude. I told him that people my age were not rude, but rather we were honest because we’re wise enough to know that holding that shit in will lead to heart attacks and death. He laughed. I still think he’s a loser.” Nara shuffled through topics,  “Did you hear about the new concert hall they’re building on the river? I hope we can visit one day - together. By then, you’ll be talking again. You’ll be back to normal and all will be well.” She continued to crochet, moving through half-crochets and double stitches. She was comfortable with the silence because after months of finding her grandson in the same muted state every visit, she had learned to adjust. “Where is that damn doctor? I called for her over an hour ago. She’s the fourth specialist in a year. I thought she was going to be the one to give us the answers, but so far she hasn’t given us shit. We’re in the same dark corner today that we were in a year ago. Well, anyway, she’s supposed to have your test results. She’s the one who insisted on this new round of testing. They need to rule out physiological causes for your…condition. I hope she comes soon. I’m anxious to get some answers. We need answers. We need…answers,” Nara’s hands were beginning to cramp. She dropped her crochet needle in her lamp and stared at her handsome grandson. 

A tear crept from the corner of her large eye. Loud knocking at the door startled her, causing her to lift her head and hastily wipe away her tears. She found a tissue in her crocheted purse and blew her nose before fixing Jeongguk’s hair and straightening the collar on his t-shirt. It was clear that the nurse had dressed him and he had not dressed himself.  

“Come in,” Nara called out. 

Dr. Yuri Lee stepped into the room with an arm full of manilla folders, prescription pads, and Psych books. “Mrs. Jeon, forgive me for taking so long. I had one last consultation to clear before coming to speak with you.”

“I hope that means you have answers…a cure?”

Dr. Yuri looked away. It was a clear sign for Nara that the doctor did not have good news. “I have more information. Let’s sit down and talk. I’d like to share my findings.”

Dr. Yuri spilled her files all over the table near the window. She started by walking through Jeongguk’s physical results. As expected, nothing was out of the ordinary. He was a perfectly healthy thirty year old with no major ailments. She then moved on to his brain scans. It was there that Nara held out hope for answers. She prayed that there would be something, anything that they could remove or treat with medication or something to make him normal again, to bring him back to her. But with each of the nearly twenty scans that they reviewed, there was nothing.

“You’re telling me that everything is perfectly normal? This can’t be. Look at him. He’s practically comatose. It’s like he’s dead!” Nara screamed. “There has to be something. There has to be a way to fix him. Bring him back…bring him back.” Nara dropped her head to the table and wept again. 

Despite the drama playing out around him, Jeongguk said nothing. He did nothing. Not even his grandmother’s cries could extract movement from him.

“Mrs. Jeon. Mrs. Jeon, please. I know this is disappointing. I too had hoped that we would finally get answers. But… I do have some additional information to give you. After months of studying his case and reviewing his file with my colleagues, we have a diagnosis,” Dr. Yuri explained.

“Diagnosis?”

“It’s not going to bring you much comfort, but at least we have a name for the condition that’s ailing him. It’s called selective mutism. It typically only occurs with young children who have experienced extreme trauma. But every now and again, it presents in adults as a form of PTSD. That’s what has happened in your grandson’s case. The events that occurred a year ago were so disruptive to his emotional countenance, that he couldn’t handle it.”

Nara nodded with understanding, “That night was…well that night changed the entire world. As you know, it was horrific for all of us, but especially him. He was there. He saw it all. I’m sure he probably blames himself. He’s a very sensitive boy and I understand how significantly it affected him.”

 “Yes. Exactly. He withdrew from the world as a kind of self-defense mechanism. We didn’t get to examine him the night of the incident but if we had, we may have been able to intervene and apply therapeutic techniques to keep him stable. But since we didn’t evaluate him until many weeks later, we were too late to mitigate the condition. The good news is that he remains fully functional, able to bathe himself, feed himself. It’s just a matter of him having the will to do so. I imagine that’s why you insisted he come here for more care because his will is almost non-existent. Once again, I believe that’s part of the selective nature of his condition.”

“Selective mutism? What do you mean by selective? Are you saying that he could come out of this at any time? By his own will?” Nara questioned.

“The research has shown that in many children, this condition is recoverable but there is no clear timeline for resolution. In adults, there is no trigger or stimulus that can be applied to speed up the process. There is no guarantee that he will ever come out of it. We have to keep doing what we’ve been doing, positive feedback, positive energy, a healthy routine to stimulate him, and surrounding him with his favorite things. For now, we need to avoid doing anything that could retrigger the trauma. He needs to feel safe. That’s the most we can do for him right now.”

“Selective? Selective?” Nara couldn’t get that word out of her head. It was a difficult concept for her to accept. Jeongguk had free will to escape his self-imposed hell, but he was too afraid to do so. His trauma from that one unforgettable night had been so horrific, that it stunned him into silence. The doctor’s discovery marked one of the saddest moments of Nara’s life. The only thing holding Jeongguk back was himself. “Did you hear that Ggukie ? You can come out of this whenever you want. Right, Dr. Yuri?”

“We hope so. We fervently hope so. With a little trial and error, we may be able to find stimuli that have a healing effect. And we will, of course, continue to treat his trauma with conventional therapy. I’ll prescribe something for his anxiety and if we’re lucky, we’ll hit on the right combination of treatments to get him talking again.” Dr. Yuri walked over to Jeongguk, “It only takes one word, young man. Just one word. And the rest will be easy,” She kneeled down next to him. “We’re going to find your happy place again and then you’ll give us that one word, won’t you?” She gave Nara a tender touch on the shoulder before leaving the room.

 

Nara immediately addressed her grandson. “Selective.” She tapped the rubber bottom of her cane against the tile. It was suddenly all so clear. She buckled in, in preparation to bear her soul. “All this time, I thought something was trapping you, holding you back. Only to find that there’s…nothing. Enough is enough. When are you going to stand up and fight? When are you going to save yourself? I’ve done all I can do. So now it’s your turn. There’s an entire world out there, waiting for you. Snap out of this Ggukie. Snap out of it.” Nara’s eyebrows furrowed, “I don’t have much longer on this earth. I’m ninety-one years old and every day that I wake up, I curse God and drop a lot of F-bombs. But I know that I’m still here for a reason and that reason is you. I can’t leave this earth until I know that you’re okay. But you have to meet me halfway.” The tears that suddenly began to stream down Nara’s wrinkled face were quite unexpected. Maybe it was her old age, but she found herself increasingly emotional with every fruitless visit to the mental ward. Every single time she stared into his empty face, she wanted to crawl into a ball and die because death would be easier than watching her sweet, talented grandson fight for control of his own brain. “It’s just me and you now Ggukie. We are the only two Jeons left on this earth. You’ve always been my closest companion, my cheerleader, my pride and joy. Don’t leave me now. Please don’t make me spend my last few months on this earth in silence, without the sweet nectar of your voice. Without your silly jokes, without that cute little lisp you have every time you get excited, without your fanboying over Mozart.” 

Nara looked into his eyes, desperate for something - any sign of life. There was only a blank stare and eyes fixed upon nothing. 

Nara could feel the walls closing in on her. She was out of options, out of solutions, and likely out of time. She began to wail, shaking her head in frustration as tears dripped from her chin. For months, she had carried enough hope for both of them. But for the very first time since the nightmare began, she could feel the hope draining from her veins. And if she didn’t have hope, then there  was none. She rested her forehead on Jeongguk’s knee and wept.

 

December 20th - Two months since Jeongguk’s diagnosis…

 

Nara’s driver crept slowly down the street, carefully reading each of the signs, looking for the correct address. 

“1313 Baepsae-Daero. It should be just up here on the left. Your refusal to use GPS is inane. Seriously, when is Joon Woo coming back? You’re absolutely awful,” Nara fussed.

“He’s on medical leave, remember? He won’t be back for a few more weeks,” her driver remarked.

“Ah yes. I’m sure he can drive with a broken leg. I’ll call the agency on Monday and inquire about his return because you’re fired.”

“Yes, Maam. Understood. Consequently, you’ve fired me fifty-one times by my last count. Yet, you still call me on my personal cell phone whenever you need a ride. Should I assume this time is for real?”

“Don’t be a smart ass. STOP, you passed the building. For the love of black bean kimchi, you’re impossibly dense.”

“Yes, Maam. Agreed. Stay still please, I’ll come around and open the door to help you out.” He pulled up against the curb and switched on his hazard lights. 

That stretch of road was busy and there was no official parking anywhere within the vicinity of the front door. For her safety, he parked at the curb. A line of ten cars came to a screeching halt, laying on their horns and yelling obscenities at the driver for stopping in the middle of the street. He disregarded their complaints. He quickly hustled her out of the back seat and headed for the entrance of the business called Second Chances. The symphony of honking horns only grew louder as they walked at a snail's pace towards the door. 

Nara looked back at them and yelled, “I’m an old lady, have some compassion you assholes!” She threw up her middle finger as the honking continued.

“What is this place? This must be new. I know this area, there used to be a bakery here and a pharmacy. Both are gone?” The driver looked around, admiring the beautiful furnishings and fancy decor. He walked slowly with Nara until they reached a large desk at the front where a blonde man was sitting.

The man smiled and stood to his feet immediately, “Good morning. Welcome to Second Chances, my name is Park Jimin. How may I help you?” 

Nara met Jimin’s eyes. “May I sit? I don’t have the physical stamina that I used to,” she gently removed her hand from her driver’s arm and found her way to the large leather chair that was stationed in front of Jimin’s desk. She tilted her head slightly and dismissed her driver. “My name is Jeon Nara and I need your help.”

“Of course, of course. Uh…who is your appointment with today?” Jimin scrolled through the appointment database looking for Jeon Nara’s name. “I don’t see you here.” Jimin walked around the front of his desk and sat in the empty seat next to Nara. He leaned forward and touched her hand. With a kind smile he asked, “Who are you here to see? Do you remember the name of your consultant?”

Nara watched her driver exit through the heavy glass door. Once he was out of the building, she continued, “No. I don’t have an appointment.”

“Well, Mrs. Jeon, I’m sorry but we only work through referrals. Under the circumstances, we cannot accept walk-ins. This is a highly bespoke service and we must carefully vet our potential clients before providing assistance,” Jimin let her down as delicately as possible. 

“Vet your clients? Ah…you mean comb through their financial ledgers to validate their net worth? It would be a shame to waste time patronizing the poor who can’t afford you. Isn’t that what you mean, Mr. Park?” Nara was sharp and quite pointed with her conversation.

Jimin laughed uncomfortably, “Not exactly. Yes, our services are…exclusive. However, that is not the sole reason for vetting our clients. Demand here is quite high and we need to review each case to make sure that we’re a good fit. Our services are 100% guaranteed or your money back. Naturally, we want to avoid an inefficient intake process that leaves you dissatisfied.”

Nara tapped her wrinkled fingers on the desk, “Oh, you’re good. I see why they hired you. You just fed me a pile of crap that is as high as Kilomanjaro, but I enjoyed every moment of it, because you’re exquisite to look at. Such a charmer. In fact, if this wasn’t such an urgent matter, I would happily sit here for hours, subjecting myself to your unique brand of bullshit.”

Jimin couldn’t help but laugh. He’d met his match and she came in the form of a disheveled elderly woman who could barely stand on her own two feet. “Touche, madam. Although I would argue that not everything I gave you was…uh…er…bullshit. We do only work from referrals and we do have to examine your case.”

“I’m aware of your referral requirement. How else do you think I came to know about such an obscure place with such special services? Here is my referral letter. It’s from President Han Duck-Soo. Is that sufficient? He was kind enough to write it up while we were at lunch yesterday.”

“The…the…the President?” Jimin examined the letter. Sure enough it was from the official Ministry of the President’s office, written on his official letterhead with his official signature. “The President knows about us?” 

“Everyone in high net worth social circles knows about you.”

“This is all very good, but Mrs. Jeon, there is no one available to assist you. You don’t have an appointment. Our consultants are very busy and…,”

Nara spoke loudly over Jimin’s feeble excuses, “...I will be using your services with or without an appointment. And you are the consultant who will be servicing me. Do I make myself clear? So please do whatever is needed to vet me. As for my finances, how do the kids say it? Yes, uh, Google me. I’m sure you’ll find everything you need to know. I’ll wait.” Nara pulled her sweater project from her large crocheted purse. She hung her cane on the back of the leather chair, much to Jimin’s chagrin, and proceeded to busy herself with crocheting Jeongguk’s sweater.

Jimin wasn’t quite sure what to do, or how to handle the elderly, white-haired, firecracker that refused to leave their lobby. He stared at her, forehead crinkled. She was a stubborn old goat, that was for sure. She hummed as she continued working on her cross-stitch and what appeared to be a garish purple sweater. 

“Can I at least get you something to drink, while you wait? A glass of juice or maybe some hot chocolate?”

“Got any whiskey? A fancy place like this, you should have some pretty good quality shit. Bring me a glass of your best, light ice.” She continued to hum a tune that Jimin was not familiar with.

“You have some very colorful language. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard so much profanity in such a short span of time,” Jimin teased. He had no idea who this Jeon Nara lady was, but he liked her alot. 

“Get over yourself, sweetheart. It’s nothing you haven’t heard before. Now please get to work. You have quite a bit of vetting to do.”

Jimin’s first order of business was to get Nara’s whiskey before she kicked his ass. His second order of business was to find Si-Hyuk and ask for help with handling their squatter.

 

Jimin found Si-Hyuk in the back of the building, exiting PROD #4. “Sir, I am so glad to see you. I need some help, or well, some advice on how to deal with a difficult potential client. She has no  appointment, yet she has a referral from the President. I don’t know what her finances are, but I’m almost certain she can’t afford even our lowest package. I’m not sure what to do or how to make her leave,” Jimin said, slightly panicked. 

“Now why would we ask her to leave? We never turn away potential clients - unless we know for certain that they cannot pay. Anyone who is friendly enough with the President to get a referral has to be in our league. We can’t always judge a book by its cover, Jimin,” Si-Hyuk said wisely.

“I don’t mean to do that - not at all. But she’s, well she’s just strange and I can’t figure her out.”

“Have you done her background analysis yet? That’s a good place to start,” Si-Hyuk said simply. “Talk to CHLOE. She can help.”

“That’s exactly what Nara suggested, only she told me to use Google,” Jimin laughed again. Nara truly was his match.

“Cute. Antiquated, but cute.”

“This woman was born before the DMZ was occupied by allied forces. Forgive her for still using Google,” Jimin laughed 

 

Second chances had three dedicated salesmen with Si-Hyuk overseeing the operations. Jimin and Hobi were his newest sales people, while the third salesman Mingyu was the senior staffer and President of the company. As Si-Hyuk and Jimin huddled together in animated discussion, Hobi interrupted them.

“What’s going on? Is something happening in PROD 4?  That’s my client. She’s not hysterical again is she?” Hobi asked.

“What? Oh no, nothing like that. Sorry Hobi, we didn’t mean to gather here. We can take this conversation back to the office,” Jimin explained.

Si-Hyuk laughed, “Jimin has a difficult client who insists on being serviced without an appointment.”

“Been there. Not fun. Maybe I can help you get rid of her. Who is she and how did she find us? Does she even understand what we do?” Hobi asked.

“Based on our brief conversation, she has a good sense of what she’s here for. She’s a sweet old lady, although a bit crass. She said her name was…Nara. Jeon Nara,” Jimin shrugged.

“Jeon? Of the Jeon family? The steel manufacturers? Those Jeons?” Hobi asked. 

“I dunno,” Jimin shrugged again. “Older lady, maybe in her eighties? Long white hair, dimples, elegant. Very pretty.”

Si-Hyuk gasped. “That sounds like the Jeon Nara, the matriarch and only living descendent of the Jeon empire. Appointment or no appointment, we need to take her in. Why does she need our service, do you know?”

“We haven’t exactly gotten that far. But I guess I need to go ahead and just ‘Google’ her as she instructed me to do,” Jimin explained. She insists that I am going to be assigned to her case.

“You’ve got your hands full with this one. She has a reputation for being somewhat aggressive and not easy to get along with. Good luck Jimin. You’ll need it,” Hobi laughed as he headed back to PROD 9 to check on another client.

“I’ll be in the research room if you need me, Si-Hyuk.” Jimin bowed and then walked down to the research center. 

 

The research center was a large room covered in virtual computer screens that the team used to gather information about their clients. The information gathered, coupled with the 90-page questionnaire were used to customize treatment and evaluate the client’s ability to pay for each of the tiered packages. He immediately walked to the east wall and waved his right hand. A large blue, translucent screen popped up. With his index finger, he expanded the screen and spoke to the floating image of the Second Chances logo. “Hi CHLOE.” CHLOE was the acronym that Si-Hyuk had given to their research engines. The name C-H-L-O-E stood for Constructive Hologram of Live Observations and Evaluation. She was the brains of the operation. A fully generative AI model that did everything from research to script writing.

“Hi Jimin. How may I help you today?” CHLOE responded with a voice that had been cloned to sound exactly like Si-Hyuk’s wife. 

Jimin didn’t judge, even though he found it a bit creepy. “Give me a full bio of Jeon Nara from Seoul, South Korea, including a photo, net worth assessment, living relatives, and relationship status. Confirm that she is the heir to the Jeon steel fortune. Summarize her movements over the last five years. I need some indication of why she wants this service and what she plans to gain.” Jimin crossed his arms and stepped away from the floating blue screen.  

“No problem, Jimin. Be right back,” CHLOE said politely. The screen went dark as CHLOE headed out on her mission.

He took a seat at one of the many glass tables and waited for the search to conclude. With his legs crossed, he bounced his foot up and down, flashing the red bottoms of his expensive shoes. The classic green-faced GMT Master edition of his Rolex dangled from his wrist. It needed to be fitted again. He checked the time, with the expectation that it would take less than five minutes for CHLOE to return with all of the information he requested. 

With a few minutes to kill, Jimin reflected. Six months into his employment with Second Chances and he could barely even remember his past days of living near poverty. His income was not only stable but lucrative. He even paid his sister back for all of the loans she had given him while he was unemployed. He liked his job, liked his work, liked working with Si-Hyuk and his son and loved the money. There was no limit to what he could make or what he could achieve. He considered himself the luckiest bastard on earth to have fallen into a job that changed the financial trajectory of his entire life. He was truly God’s favorite. 

Things were good, yet…something about his encounter with Jeon Nara made him feel uneasy. He didn’t understand what she wanted or why she had chosen him. He hoped that her background check would lead to some insight about the strange woman’s motives. Most of his clients came pre-screened with established appointments where the details of the service had already been worked out. But not Nara.

 

The translucent blue screen lit up again, “Hi Jimin. I’m back,” CHLOE advised.  Before Jimin could say a word, a four foot tall portrait of a teenage Nara filled the room in the form of a translucent 3-D hologram. It spun slowly in a circle, hovering just above the glass table. The photo was black and white, but CHLOE had colorized it to give Jimin a better understanding of Nara’s beauty.  “Very pretty lady,” CHLOE said politely. As the photo of Nara spun slowly, CHLOE gave Jimin her background, “I have the information you requested. Have a seat, let’s talk about it,” CHLOE’s screen filled with white text. Everything in her public record, private record, medical record, legal record, and internet record was gathered and summarized for Jimin’s review. CHLOE began, “Jeon Nara. Born June 4th, 1927 to parents Jeon Dong-Geon and Yi-jin. The youngest of three children. Unmarried, age ninety-one, heir to the Jeon Steel Manufacturing fortune. Three siblings, all deceased. She had one child, a son. Deceased. She has quite a turbulent medical history, torn hip labrum, hip replacement, faulty aortic valve, partial blockage, rheumatoid arthritis, high blood pressure, COPD from years of smoking and chronic hemorrhoids.”

“That’s…TMI,” Jimin grimaced.

“It is relevant. She has been married twice and twice widowed.”

“Widowed? How long?”

“Fifty years for husband number two and seventy years for husband number one. He died when they were very young from a very rare disease. There is speculation that she only married the second husband for money. They maintained separate homes for the entirety of their marriage. Further evaluation revealed that he left her with nothing in his Last Will and Testament.” 

Jimin crossed his arms, “Married for money? Why would someone who is the heir to a fortune marry for money?”

“Because she has none,” CHLOE said matter-of-factly. “Her siblings squandered her father’s fortune before they died, leaving her with almost nothing. She owns the house which has substantial value, she has a few stocks and bonds, and a small savings. In the most basic terms, she is broke,” CHLOE said  bluntly.

“But the house. You said…,”

“The house has great value. But she is not in a position to liquidate it. The house has been designated by the Seoul Historical Society as a historic relic that is owned by the government. During a very difficult financial time in her life, she sold the house to the Korean government for cash. They allowed her to live there as a courtesy with the understanding that once she died, the property would go back to the government and later turned into a visitors center.”

“Poor woman. She must have been so desperate to make that deal. Selling her childhood home just for a little cash,” Jimin sat down. He felt sick to his stomach. “So…she has absolutely no resources to pay for our services?”

“That isn’t exactly true,” CHLOE advised, “I did mention that she has some savings and a few stock holdings. One of them is in HYBE, the entertainment company. She’s not completely desolate but…she doesn’t have the liquid funds that we are used to seeing from one of our clients. 

“I don’t think the boss will like it very much if I open a case for her.” She can’t even pay. What is your recommendation?” Jimin asked CHLOE.

“Are you asking for the mathematical probability of Jeon Nara upgrading to the higher tier packages?”

“A bit harsh but yea, I guess that’s what I’m asking.”

“My suggestion is to deny services.”

Before Jimin could respond, Mingyu knocked and then peeped his head through the door. “Hey. Sorry to interrupt but uh, there’s an old homeless woman asleep on the leather couch. Hobi says she belongs to you,” Mingyu looked disgusted. 

Jimin laughed, “Asleep.”

“Snoring with her long wrinkled toes molesting the custom leather my father acquired from a factory in Morocco. She’s wrapped up in some ratty old shawl. That couch cost 180 Million Won. Could you possibly help her relocate her napping activities?” Mingyu made himself laugh. 

“Sure, in a minute. Can I talk to you first?”

“Yea. Everything ok?”

“What do you do when you have a client who you know can’t afford to be here?

Mingyu shook his head, “That would never happen. We work from referrals. The rich only recommend the Rich.”

“Yea,yea, yea but what if? What would you do?” Jimin insisted.

“Say no. This isn’t a charity Jimin. We have bills to pay, mouths to feed. Our services are priced for the wealthy with a very carefully cultivated market. May sound harsh, but if they can’t afford our consultation then they shouldn’t be here.”

Jimin sighed, “I was afraid you’d say that.”

“Let me guess, your homeless lady wants a hand out?” Mingyu asked. 

“She’s not homeless. She’s a Jeon. But she’s having a hard time right now.”

“Jeon? As in the steel company?”

“Yes indeed, that very one.”

“Where the hell is all of her money?”

“Gone.”

“What does she want from us?”

“I don’t know and based on the advice from you and CHLOE, I’ll never find out. I’m going to tell her that we can’t help her.”

“Who referred her?”

“The President of South Korea himself.”

“Get the fuck out of here? Are you serious?”

“Yep. CHLOE is pretty sure that she can’t even afford the first tier - based on her calculation.”

“Bummer. Got to tell you, this has never happened before. Most of the general population doesn’t even know we exist. Strange for a random customer to roam in here.”

“Well I should go. I need to get her and her elderly toes off of the boss’ couch.”

“Jimin?” CHLOE called him just before he left the room.

“Yes?” He turned to look at the vibrating blue screen known as CHLOE.

“Don’t you want to hear the rest of my summary?” She asked.  “There is much more information that I have to share.”

“Thanks CHLOE but that won’t be necessary. I have all of the information I need.” Jimin headed back to the lobby to deliver his bad news to Nara.

To avoid embarrassing her, Jimin decided to ask Nara into a consulting room to talk. “Mrs. Jeon? Mrs. Jeon, please wake up.” Jimin knelt down and gently tapped her shoulder. The woman barely stirred. And when she did, she was summarily confused about where she was. That was until she set eyes on Jimin again. 

“Park Jimin, you’re back. You certainly took your damn time. I assume you Googled me?” She reached for her cane as soon as she sat upright.  

“I did. Listen…Mrs. Jeon, would you mind joining me in the client consultation room so we could speak privately?”

“Don’t mind at all.” Nara gathered her crocheted purse and plethora of purple yarn. She threw everything in the bag. The heavy wooden cane created a rhythmic knocking against the hard wood as she followed Jimin towards the back of the building.

“Have a seat. How about another glass of Whiskey?” Jimin offered.

“Are you trying to get an old woman drunk so you can have your way with me?”

“Eww, no. Not at all. That would be assault and that is the lowest form of…,”

“Geez, kid, can't you take a joke?”

“I can take a joke …and I’m not a kid…but that joke wasn’t funny…,” Jimin argued. 

“Ok, ok. Just forget I said it. Give me more whisky and get on with it. What has your panties all bunched up so tightly that you had to speak to me privately?” The tight joint around Nara’s hip throbbed. The pain was incredibly concentrated, much more debilitating than years past. She rubbed her leg as she made her way to one of the leather chairs that was parked at the large glass table. “So when can we begin?”

Jimin looked directly into her sweet face, “Mrs. Jeon. I’m sorry, but we uncovered some information in your background check that precludes us from offering you our services.”

“Bullshit. What kind of ‘information’?” Nara finger quoted.

“Please don’t make me recount the particulars. Just please understand that you don’t qualify.”

“You mean…you don’t think I have enough money?”

“If you want me to be blunt, then yes. That is exactly the issue. I’m so sorry. If it were up to me, I would send you through intake right away, immediately. I would happily service you. But these decisions are not up to me. I could get fired for onboarding a new client who doesn’t have adequate collateral.”

“And how did you determine this?” Nara said defiantly.

“Per your suggestion, I ‘Googled’ you. But my research was much more thorough and involved. We have an internal resource that can tell us everything from the brand of cloth diaper you wore when you were born, to the designer of your wedding dress.”

“So because you have some kind of search bot who can probe into the private details of my life, you think you know everything about me?”

“I can assure you that I do,” Jimin said sadly.

“Tell me what you think you know,” Nara challenged him.

Jimin hesitated, “You don’t even own the home you live in. Your siblings made some very bad investments and lost all of your father’s money while you were still just a child. And your youngest brother stole almost your entire inheritance through an identity theft scheme. Your only son married rich, that’s how he escaped the curse of poverty that loomed in the shadow of your family name. Over the last year, you’ve sold almost all of your  father’s heirlooms, just to keep up the appearance of being a wealthy woman. There’s more but I’ll spare you the embarrassment.”

“Hmmm, is that it?”

“That’s enough,” Jimin retorted. Nara didn’t deny any of his statements, which meant they were all true. 

Nara searched through her crocheted purse. She produced a 5x7 gold accented sales catalog. Somehow she had acquired a copy of the Second Chances exclusive members program agreements. 

“Where did you get that? That’s a highly confidential document that is shared with members only once they have entered into a contract for our services.”

“Go to hell. I’ve got a copy, that’s all that matters. Now thumb through your fancy little gold book Mr. Park and head over to page six. I believe that’s where all of your lower tier packages are priced. Is that correct?”

Jimin was disturbed. He didn’t understand how Nara had possession of such a sensitive document. “That’s correct, but…,”

Nara presented her phone. She sent a quick text out to someone, Jimin was unsure who. He peeked over at her screen, but she quickly slid it underneath her hand to keep him from seeing anything.

“Where’s that whiskey you promised me?” Nara asked sternly.

Jimin was frustrated. He briefly left the room to fetch another glass of their expensive whiskey. The fine liquor was typically reserved for actual clients, not elderly rejects. But out of kindness and respect, he obliged by getting her another glass. By the time he returned, Nara was no longer alone.

She quickly ran through introductions, “Park Jimin, this is my substitute driver. I don’t know his name nor do I give a damn. Earlier today I fired him for incompetence. He’s only here because I needed someone strong enough to lift my heavy suitcase.” Nara glanced at her driver whose real name was Shung Dae, “Shoo. Get out of here.”

Dae placed the suitcase on the glass table and then bowed to excuse himself. 

Jimin was running out of patience. “Mrs. Jeon, all due respect, what is this?” He motioned towards the large leather suitcase. “You’re scratching up that very expensive glass table.”

There was momentary silence as Mrs. Jeon eyed Jimin carefully. “Sit down.” She no longer held the kind expression of an elderly woman. Her voice was shrewd and authoritative. Every ounce of her regality shone as she leaned into the table with a faint glint in her eyes. This was the generational icon known as Jeon Nara. 

Jimin was slightly intimidated. He quickly took a seat as instructed. “Yes, Maam.”

She scolded him, “You’re young. Your generation thinks they know everything because…the internet told them so. Well I’m from a different generation, Park Jimin; a generation who knows how to keep secrets. A generation who knows where the bodies are buried…,”

“BODIES!” Jimin was startled.

“Shut up. It’s a metaphor.

“Yes ma’am, but once again for the record, I don’t deal in assaults or dead bodies,” Jimin clarified.

“Please shut up.”

“Yep.”

“Tracing a person’s wealth is not as easy as searching it up on the internet. Sure, you found all kinds of nasty little secrets about me, many of which I expected you to find. But what you’ll never truly understand is the amount of liquid cash that I’ve accumulated over the last year. You’ll never know because this money has been very well hidden. My generation doesn’t feel the need to broadcast every second of our lives on Tik Tok. Yes, you’re correct Mr. Park, I’ve done a shitty job of protecting my family’s assets. And yes, I did sell the house back to the government. Yes, I’m broke…on paper. But not in practice. There are loopholes to everything and one day, someone will be able to reclaim some of what I’ve lost. Now, on to business. I’ve reviewed all of your available packages and I believe that tier one and two are nice, but tier three seems to be the sweet spot.”

Jimin rolled his eyes. She was a stubborn old fool who just wouldn’t take no for an answer, “Mrs. Jeon. As I have already explained…,”

“I SAID…I will take tier number three.” Mrs. Jeon stood to her feet spryly, without her cane. She unzipped the large leather bag and pulled it open revealing stacks and stacks and stacks of money. With a glare of defiance, she pushed it over towards Jimin. “You will help me with or without an appointment.”

Jimin fell back into his chair. He had never seen so much money in one place. No client, that he was aware of, had ever dared pay their fees in cash. 

“Where did you get this amount of money?”

“About a year ago, I began liquidating assets to stockpile cash. That’s about the same time that I sold my house to the historic society. The money is all legit, but in order to keep the transactions off of the ‘internet’ I did all of the deals in private and in cash to avoid reporting it for tax purposes.”

“Is it all legal?”

“Very. I have receipts for every single transaction. Now do we have a deal? Are you my new consultant?”

“I-I-I,” Jimin wasn’t sure what to say. He stammered, “Uh…stay right there. Don’t move. Don’t you move. He ran to the bar and grabbed the entire bottle of expensive whiskey that she had been drinking. He dropped it on the table in front of her and ran back out to find Si-Hyuk. Before accepting a cash offer of this magnitude, he needed advice. Jimin found him entering PROD 12.

“Si-Hyuk. I’ve got a fucking incredible problem.”

“Both fucking and incredible? Tell me all about it,” Si-Hyuk subtly called out Jimin’s inappropriate language. 

“I have a client…you know the one that I told you about earlier? The one who can’t pay or well, I thought she couldn’t pay, but maybe she can pay. I mean she can definitely pay…,”

“Jimin calm down. What is it? Can she pay or not?”

“She can. IN CASH!” Jimin covered his mouth and looked around the hallway. He whispered, “I don’t know where she got all of this money. But she has a suitcase full of money, at least  2Billion Won, and she’s insisting that I take it to pay for - get this - TIER THREE! Not even tier one.”

“Cash? That’s unusual. Why cash?”

“Something about dead bodies. I don’t know. I’m starting to think her ancestors were gangsters, not steel manufacturers. It has to be against the law or something to walk around with that much money. What should I do? Won’t the accountants get suspicious? We can’t accept cash…can we?” Jimin shrugged with confusion.

“Of course we can. It’s happened before. Many years ago, when I first started, I had older clients who wanted to keep their participation in our services discreet. Every transaction was cash back in those days. Haven’t seen it much lately, but we welcome all forms of payment. As long as she meets the other criteria and passes the membership evaluation, we can sell her tier three,” Si-Hyuk smiled.

“Incredible.” Jimin fell against the wall. He was completely flabbergasted.

“Uh, but Jimin, one word of caution. I’m sure you know this, but cash does have its down side. We can’t upsell services. You’ll never get to tier four, our five or six or seven because cash is finite. If we can manage to access a savings account or mutual funds or insurance premiums, then we have a much better chance of milking more services. Selling her a tier three package is fine for the moment, but don’t put yourself in a position to regret it years from now when you’ve exhausted her funds,” Si-Hyuk’s warning was ugly, cold and calloused. But it was true. From day one, Jimin had been trained to go in for the kill, shoot for the stars by upselling high and often. Accepting a cash offer would be a dead end for revenue growth. But, for some reason, he didn’t care. For the first time in his career with Second Chances, he cared more about the client - than the money.

“Mrs. Jeon, as you know, since you seem to have stolen one of our catalogs, payment is just a small part of the larger process. We need to know if this is going to be a fit for you. We need to understand your motives and why you’re doing this and your expected outcomes. We need to know your story. And I will be transparent, no matter how compelling you think your story may be, we may still turn you away if we don’t think we can help you.”

“I know all of this. When can we get started with the evaluation?”

“About that. Are you aware that the evaluation is over ninety pages long?”

“Do you have someone who can help you? We ask for a commitment of at least three hours to complete all of the paperwork including the evaluation. Can you…well…are you capable of…?”

“Yes, Park Jimin. I won’t kill over from the strain of three hours of pitiful, useless paperwork. I’ll play by your rules, as long as I get what I want in the end.”

“I kind of knew you would say that. As your consultant, I’ll be administering the evaluation. Now,” Jimin pulled up the appointment log on his computer. “What day would you like to schedule the appointment?”

“Today.” Nara dropped her cane and scooted her chair all the way forward until her saggy breasts sat on the table.

“Today? Oh no, that’s not how this works. I can’t possibly accept an appointment today,” Jimin countered.

“Yes you can. If you have other customers, take them first. I’ll wait,” Nara pulled the bright purple sweater from her purse and began crocheting again as if she hadn’t heard a word of Jimin’s objection.”

“Mrs. Jeon, must you always be so difficult?”

“I’m not difficult. I’m driven, determined, focused, there’s a difference. We will do things my way because it’s the only way to give me what I need.”

The feistier that Nara became, the more Jimin liked her. “Very well. I’ll ask a coworker to take the client that I had scheduled for today. I’ll administer the evaluation. You’re costing me a great deal of money, Mrs. Jeon. But I’m willing to do this for you because frankly, I’m afraid you’ll spank me if I don’t,” Jimin teased.

“Or beat you unconscious with my cane. Doesn’t make any difference to me,” Nara teased back.

Jimin sat close to Nara. He watched her beautiful eyes as she looked around the high tech room with all of the translucent screens floating through the air. She tapped her foot and sipped her whiskey, waiting patiently for whatever came next.

 

For most of his career with Second Chances, Jimin had been able to bury his conscience, skirt the lines of morality by telling himself he was doing a valuable service. But Mrs. Jeon made it difficult to continue that line of thinking. She just didn’t qualify. In essence, accepting her as a client would be akin to stealing her money. 

“Before we begin the evaluation, I need to ask you something.”

“Ask me anything. I’m an open book. And whatever I don’t tell you, I’m sure you’ll find through Google,” a jab at Jimin for all of his internet savvy prowess.

“Mrs. Jeon, what do you want from me?” Even though we’ve agreed to accept your cash payment, I can almost guarantee that you won’t advance past our assessment. Unless there’s something that I’m missing, I can’t understand why you’re here. You won’t benefit from anything that I can give you.”

This line of questioning and your genuine, albeit short-sided concern, tell me all that I need to know about your research. I’m disappointed in you Jimin. You’ve missed a key element of my life story. The answers you seek are hidden there.” Nara removed her purple sweater and crochet needle and went to work. “How do you like my sweater? It’s nice isn’t it?” She held it up to show Jimin all of the fine details of her work. 

“It’s beautiful. Although, I think it may be too big for you,” Jimin said kindly.

“And there my boy, is where you keep making the same mistake. Because of your tunnel vision, you’ve overlooked the fact that not everyone, unlike yourself, is self absorbed and looking for their own salvation. Does the word sacrifice mean anything to you?”

“I don’t understand.”

“Of course you don’t. Let me explain simply. Much like this sweater, my request for your services has nothing to do with me. I’m asking for help…for someone else,” Nara continued her crocheting, never once stopping to observe Jimin’s response.”

“Someone else?”

“My grandson. He’s in desperate need of help and I believe that what you offer here can help him.”

“Grandson? But, but I didn’t find any living family in your bio.”

“Either Google is broken, or you failed to do the minimum to learn who I am. Let me guess, after you concluded that I didn’t have the money, you stopped digging any further into my possible motives for being here?”

“This is unheard of. Never have we had a client who wasn’t our actual client. Of course, I’ll have to talk to your grandson. In fact, it would be best for me to do the evaluation with him since he is the one we will be customizing the program for. When can I talk to him?”

Nara laughed to keep from crying, “Talk to him? More like talk at him. I’m afraid my grandson isn’t available to take guests or interviews. He’s a patient at the Seoul Central Mental Health Clinic.

Jimin grabbed Nara’s bottle of whiskey and poured himself a glass. He took a stiff drink and rubbed his eyes, “Let me get this straight. You’re buying services for a mental patient?” 

“Again, you’ve failed to see past your own experiences. I am not buying services for a mental patient. I am buying hope for the grandson that I love. I am giving him a second chance at a productive future. I am addressing his trauma, the only way that I know how. He is much, much more than just a mental patient.”

Jimin was ashamed. Nara had a way of getting to him, exposing his weaknesses. “Forgive me. I was careless with my words. Of course your grandson is important. And I think what you’re doing is lovely. You are the definition of sacrifice. I know how much you need that money, yet you’re selflessly giving it all to help him.”

“I’m sure you’re already aware that I began liquidating my assets exactly one year ago. That’s when it happened - when my grandson lost his mind. Exactly one year ago. Since then, I’ve spared no expense with getting him quality care. From the facility where he resides to the world-renowned specialists that I’ve hired to help him, I’ve given every penny to help him get his mind back. Yet, sadly, nothing has worked. I’m out of options, except for this one.”

Jimin suddenly had a new perspective. He understood what Nara was trying to do and he respected it. “Given this new information, I’m sure my bosses will make an exception for the evaluation.”

“If there’s anyone who knows what my grandson needs, it’s me. I’ve been in the trenches battling his demons alongside him for a year. Jimin, you have to promise me something.”

“Promise…I will…if I can.”

“You have to give my grandson a chance. Learn his heart. Put all of your focus on getting to know him. Don’t Google him or filter his character through your bots. Learn him the old fashioned way. Don’t prejudge him, like you did to me. Let him come to you. If anyone can pull it out of him, its’ you.”

Jimin appreciated Nara’s request. It made sense and it felt like something his mother would have said to him. Nara wanted Jimin to build a real relationship with her grandson. He felt that her request was fair and just and necessary.

“I think I can do that. In fact, I know that I can. I’ll take my time and really get to know him. I won’t prejudge him, like I did with you. I promise.”

“Good. Thank you Jimin. Now that we have that out of the way, I guess we can get started. I’ll complete your evaluation and together we’ll build something beautiful that he can enjoy.”

Jimin nodded with agreement, “You’ve been here for hours and haven’t eaten anything. Can I get you some dinner? It’s going to be a long night.”

“Dinner? I’d love that.”

“What would you like?” Jimin smiled.

“Anything, as long as it’s insanely expensive. I need to get my money’s worth out of you people.”

“Expensive dinner? That’s my specialty. Consider it done.” Jimin removed the blazer of his black Louis Vatton suit and draped it over the leather chair. He rolled up his sleeves and removed his black tie as he walked to each of the sixty computer screens that floated along the walls. With a single tap of his finger, he summoned them all. All at once they came online, flooding the room with bright blue ambient light.

“Hello Jimin,” all sixty computers greeted him in tandem.

“Well that’s impressive.”

“It is, isn’t it? Madam Jeon, shall we begin…?”

 

Jimin lamented over what to wear. His standard couture black suit seemed oddly inappropriate for visiting a mental hospital. Yet he wanted to maintain a professional image when visiting the young Jeon Jeongguk. He settled on a pair of slacks and a button down shirt - all black of course.  He fastened a Second Chances name badge to his left breast pocket. With a few strokes of a brush, he untangled his freshly washed blonde hair and allowed it to air dry as he gathered everything he would need for the visit. 

It was highly unconventional to take Second Chances consultations on the road. Clients came to them at Headquarters and all sessions were held in the PROD rooms. That was just how things were done. So when Jimin requested to visit Jeongguk at his facility, Si-hyuk wasn’t overly excited. It took a few days to convince him to allow the visit. Eventually Nara made her plea to Si-hyuk directly. And what Nara wanted, Nara received.

Working from the results of Nara’s evaluation, Si-hyuk was able to customize a transitory model of the third tier to share with Jeongguk. It only had half of the functionality as the full scale program but Nara accepted it. After all, this customized treatment for Jeongguk was highly experimental and there was no guarantee that he was going to respond. 

If Jimin wanted to retain the revenue, he had to be successful in his first visit. And how did success look? He wasn’t sure. He had baseline information on Jeongguk’s condition, but had little understanding of what was possible considering his state of mind. Jimin was nervous. He didn’t want the guy to freak out on him. He wasn’t a professional with dealing with mental patients and Jeongguk was a literal mental patient. Nara hadn’t given him any photos. All Jimin could do was hope for the best.

Jimin arrived at the Seoul Central Mental Health Clinic. It was a beautiful building with a troubled past. The building was originally built to house the criminally insane. Patients were often subjected to government sanctioned lobotomies and electroconvulsive therapies. Cruel and savage treatments were the norm back in the early fifties before modern psychiatry was born. Many patients died due to the torture suffered at the hands of the doctors who were supposed to heal them. To erase its nocive practices of the past, the building was completely remodeled in bright, neutral hues, replacing the grim greys that previously covered the walls and floors. The interior looked more like a plush hotel than it did a mental ward. Although the proverbial padded walls still existed deep within the bowels of the building, a more modern approach to psychotherapy was embraced by the new owners. 

Jimin’s equipment was all packed in a single large backpack that he easily threw over his shoulders. He grabbed his personal laptop before flipping his key fob to lock the door of his new car. He had long traded in his sensible Hyundai Palisade for a lavish black Porsche Macan. He savored the sweet taste of success and was not afraid to treat himself to the finer things. With the bonus that he received from Nara’s cash payment, he was able to upgrade to the fancy SUV. He couldn't help but think that Nara would not approve.

Nara’s beautiful face burned in his head, leaving him curious to know how a male heir of hers would look. He imagined the man would be attractive, based on the features of his grandmother. Jimin was excited to meet him, albeit a little frightened. 

“Park Jimin. I have a 3:00 pm appointment with Mr. Jeon Jeongguk,” Jimin rested his heavy backpack on the surface of the desk as he greeted the nurse.

“Jeongguk? You’re here to see Jeongguk? For what exactly? Does his grandmother know you’re here?” The nurse was less than receptive and seemed shocked that Jeongguk had a visitor.

“Yes. Jeon Nara. You can call her. I also have a signed release slip from her, allowing me to see him. She is the one who paid for my…um…services.”

“SERVICES? What kind of services? This is not that kind of place! You can take your x-rated services someplace else!” The nurse was appalled.

Jimin laughed, “I assure you there is nothing x-rated about what I have for Mr. Jeon. I think you may have a misunderstanding of why I’m here. So let’s do this. You get Mrs. Jeon on the phone and we’ll get this all cleared up. In the meantime, may I sign in? I don’t want to be late.”

As the nurse dialed up Mrs. Jeon, she continued to pepper Jimin with questions, “What’s in that bag?”

Jimin shook his head, “I’m not at liberty to reveal that information.”

“Any weapons?”

“Now why would I bring weapons into a mental health facility?” He rubbed his temples. “May I see Mr. Jeon now?”

Nara finally answered the phone. The nurse rushed her words, certain that Nara would confirm that Jimin was not supposed to be there, “Mrs. Jeon. This is Roberta Singh from the front desk. I have some…playboy here requesting to see Jeongguk and give him services .” She narrowed her eyes and scowled at Jimin. “Ah-huh. Mm-hm. Yea. Yea. Really? Are you sure? Ok, I’ll let him in.”

Jimin gave a smug grin as he watched her turn beet red with embarrassment. She cleared her throat. “So…uh…Mrs. Jeon says you may see him. He’s in room #1108, just down the hall. I’ll escort you. He’s not going to let you in, no matter how long you stand there and knock. I’ll have to use my key.”

“Thank you. I appreciate your cooperation.” Jimin completed his sign in and per the clinic’s policy, flashed a copy of his license.

Roberta opened the door to room #1108. An instant aroma of fresh cherry blossoms wafted through the air into the hallway. The scent was pleasant enough to make Jimin smile. 

“Mr. Jeon, it’s me, Roberta. You have a visitor.” She quietly crept into the dark room and beckoned Jimin to follow her. “Your grandmother says it’s ok. This man would like to talk to you.”

Jimin peeped around her, trying to get a good look at the man he was there to service. But the room was too dark for him to see anything. Roberta kept her distance from Jeongguk. Jimin could sense there was unease there. He had no history of violence or anger or outbursts. In fact his only medical history was that of a perfectly healthy man who just didn’t - speak. Jimin found it strange, the way she treated him.

“Hello Mr. Jeon. May I spend some time with you?” Jimin couldn’t exactly see where the man was sitting. He could faintly make out a shadow, but it was difficult to see anything in such absolute darkness. “Thank you Roberta. I’ll take it from here.”

“Call me if you need anything. Please be gentle with him, he’s not one for much conversation and…,”

Jimin spoke over her, “YES, Roberta. I know. I know more about him than you can ever imagine. We’ll be fine.”

Roberta left, leaving Jimin there shifting from foot to foot as he attempted to calm his own frazzled nerves. He bit the side of his bottom lip and then ran his finger around the inside of his collar to loosen the suffocating fabric. But his collar wasn’t even buttoned. The tightness in his chest and around his neck was just his imagination. His eyes flitted left and right looking for the emergency pull cord or some other way to call for help - should he need it. After all, it wasn’t every day that he was locked in a room with a mental patient. Much too late, he felt the need to gather an escape plan - just in case. 

Smells of cherry blossoms wafted through the room again. It was then that Jimin realized it was an automatic air freshener of some kind. It hissed quietly from a corner, amplifying the otherwise complete silence in the room. There was a dull glow from a weathered night light that cast striations across his client’s face, making him look almost demonic. But further rationalization confirmed that too was a figment of Jimin’s imagination. Maybe it was how Roberta reacted to Jeongguk that left him so jumpy, but Jimin found himself uneasy and it was overtaking his common sense. 

Everything he knew about the man was that he was meek, gentle, loving and kind; not some cannibalistic escapee from prison. In his grandmother’s eyes, Jeongguk represented a tragic life suspended in time, unable to move forward. All he was, was a victim. It was prudent for Jimin to keep reminding himself of that.

Chill Park , Jimin thought to himself. He gave Jeongguk a faint smile and went to work, “Forgive me but I’m under strict orders…,”

 He immediately walked to the large vinyl curtains and gingerly pulled them open. The curtains screeched loudly as if to protest being disturbed. In an instant, the room filled with sunlight.

Jeongguk closed his eyes in a reflexive response to the bright light burning his pupils.

The flow of light suddenly made everything seem less foreboding. Even Jeongguk’s visage that Jimin’s mind read as slightly demonic in the dark, was now much less threatening in the light. Sadly, the man’s eyes were still vacant. Jimin took the liberty to move closer to him. Emboldened by Jeongguk’s lack of reciprocal response, Jimin overtly stared at him for several minutes. He couldn’t help but wonder what, if anything, the man was thinking. 

Jimin explained, “You have my apologies but I was under strict orders to draw the curtains if I found them closed when I arrived. They were closed so...,” Jimin laughed awkwardly. “Your grandmother is rather persistent in her pursuit of your happiness and well being. And what Mrs. Jeon wants, Mrs. Jeon gets. But I’m sure you already know that.” 

Jimin took his first solid look at his new client. He rubbed his own eyes and blinked several times as he drank him in. The doe eyed man sitting in the faded red chair was one of the most beautiful that Jimin had ever seen. Black medium-grain hair gathered around his neck and drooped over his pale forehead. His naturally toned body lay inconspicuously dormant beneath a tightly fitted white t-shirt. Even the unintentional flexion of his arms was beautiful. His hands rested in his lap, with his long fingers curled around each other, tight with tension as if ready to fight - defend himself. 

After only ten minutes with him, Jimin could already feel the weight of the man’s trauma. He was so contemplative over him, that he lost focus. “I knew you would be attractive but I didn’t expect this . You’re very handsome Mr. Jeon and you are the splitting image of your grandmother. It’s a shame you’ve withdrawn from the world,” Jimin said kindly. “What an absolute pleasure to meet you.” He extended his hand for a handshake but that was frivolous upon reflection.

Jimin continued to look around, exploring the space while he thought through the set up of his equipment. The facility was nice enough; not someplace he’d want to be trapped in, but still nice. The same egg-shell-colored paint that adorned the hallway was continued throughout Jeongguk’s room. The pine furniture was clean and modern. Everything else in the room was set in neutral hues of mushroom, brown, and white. Across Jeongguk’s bed lay blankets, plushies, and other hand-made trinkets that were all crocheted by his grandmother. Seeing all of the things that were given to him from Nara, oddly, released Jimin’s inhibitions and made him feel more comfortable.

He rolled up his sleeves and took a seat facing Mr. Jeon. “Hello again. Yea, I’m still here. I think we’re stuck with each other. Neither of us wants to raise the ire of your grandmother, so we better make this work, Jimin joked. “I’m Park, Jimin. Ah shit, I think I said that already. Forgive me again, this is my first time working with…I mean being in a crazy house…nope I mean, not meeting a client on my own terms, in our own facilities. The facilities of Second Chances. Did I mention that? Did I mention that’s where I’m from? Second Chances. That’s what your grandmother hired me for to uh…I mean…fuck,” Jimin rambled senselessly. “I do wish you’d talk back. It would keep me from putting my entire size ten foot in my mouth.” He palmed his forehead. “Hello. Earth to Jeongguk? My goodness, this is the first time I’ve left a man speechless.” Jimin was embarrassed by his own joke. “I feel like I should leave, come back in and start over,” he laughed. He sat back, folded his arms and crossed his legs, once again flashing the red bottoms of his shoes as he bounced his leg.

“You’re in there, aren’t you? I believe Nara is right. You just need a little help… a little help.” Jimin felt confident enough to gently cup Jeongguk’s hand that sat on the desk. He was not surprised to be met with silence. But what did surprise him was the faint glint in Jeongguk’s eyes as Jimin leaned into him. It was almost as if the man saw him, acknowledged him?

Jimin continued the one-sided conversation, “I’m 32. We’re close in age, I’m only two years older than you. Your grandmother says you were born in Busan but moved here to Seoul when you were just 13. I’m from Busan as well. But I’ve been in Seoul almost all of my life. I like your t-shirt, Symphony in G-Minor. I totally get it. Your grandmother says you have a boy-crush on Mozart. That’s quite different.” Jimin figured that was enough small talk. It was time to get down to business and deliver what Nara had paid him to do. “I’m here today to bring you something very special. It’s a gift from your grandmother; something that we believe will help you. Allow me a few minutes to get set up and then we’ll begin. Is that alright?”

A hummingbird fluttered its wings against the glass. A squirrel ran across the outer window sill and scurried up a branch. The trees bristled, the wind lightly swirled. Life happened and Jeongguk appeared to be processing it all. Except closer observation showed that his eyes were empty and nothing from the delicate ballet of life that danced outside of his window was absorbed by him.  

“You sit patiently and I’ll get you set up. This should take no time at all,”  Jimin found himself wanting things that he had no right to wish for, such as: hearing the tone of Jeongguk’s voice, learning his favorite colors, hearing about his past loves, understanding what he did as an occupation, hearing his opinion on being a Jeon, or understanding how it felt to have a grandmother who loved him as much as Nara. But those were things trapped within Jeongguk’s own mind. They were Jeongguk’s own secrets. And if anyone deserved to hear them, it was his long suffering grandmother - not Jimin who was technically only there for the money.

Jeongguk sat in the middle of the room, leaving equidistant space between him and each wall. Jimin used that negative space to lay his strips. There were four strips in all, quite simple, quite basic, but brilliantly complex in their construction. Within four weeks time Si-hyuk had managed to create a portable model that closely resembled the experience of the facility. His lawyers were busy executing another dizzying series of patents and trademarks to protect his newest iteration.

Each strip wirelessly connected to the program which had been downloaded to Jimin’s laptop. For the interference patterns to be coherent, each of the light waves emanating from the strips had to be the exact same wavelength. Jimin had to do a little math to make that possible, but after weeks of practice, he was confident in his construction.

“All done. I’ll be leaving to give you some privacy. Your session today is only one hour. Money is finite, and to stretch your sessions as long as possible, we’ve made the difficult choice to keep them brief during the introductory period. But if this is successful, I suspect that we’ll be seeing much more of each other,” Jimin explained. “I’ll be monitoring the equipment from the lobby. I found this new book called ‘ Bitter Peach ’ on the clearance rack in the thrift shop. I’m going to dive in and see what it’s all about. Sounds scandalous.” Jimin laughed. “No need for you to do anything, the entire system is programmed. I’ll be back in one hour.” As Jimin stepped out of the room, Mozart’s Concerto for Cello began to play…

***

Chapter Three: The Thumping of the Wooden Cane

🍃9102k
🍃Heavy, heavy Angst
🍃Sloooooooow Burn
🍃Safe for all audiences

_________________________

Jimin walked with a slight bounce in his step when Hobi told him that Mrs. Jeon was in the lobby waiting to see him. It was about time she showed up. He’d called her at least four times over as many weeks to give her the mandated report on how the sessions were going with Jeongguk. He had solid news to share and he was sure that she would be pleased. 

He stepped into the lobby, searching for her gaunt, wrinkled face and curved wooden cane that doubled as an assault weapon. But he froze when his eyes finally found her. He simply could not take another step.

“M-M-Mrs. Jeon? Wha-wha-what are you doing in - a wheelchair?” Jimin questioned. 

Mrs. Jeon rode through the lobby unassisted in a motorized wheelchair. Her large crochet bag and hooked cane were stored under the bottom below her seat. Her thick white hair was now thin and brittle. She sat slumped over in her wheelchair, hands mangled with arthritis, skin pale and more sunken than ever. She was hardly recognizable; the complete opposite of her spry usual self. Jimin was greatly bothered by her degraded condition.

Mrs. Jeon didn’t like him questioning her. She promptly halted his inquisition, “Listen. There’s your business and then there’s my business. This falls in the category of my business. You don’t hear me asking when’s the first time you got a blow job, do you? No, because that’s your business.”

Jimin felt her correlation was ridiculous, “Those are two completely different things.” He was already alarmed by her prevarication and her refusal to answer a basic question. She was typically very open about her ailments. “Is this why you haven’t returned any of my calls? Have you been…ill?” Jimin swallowed.

Nara was grumpy, “Listen kid, I’ve still got my cane and if you piss me off, I will shove it up your…,”

“...MRS. JEON! What a pleasure to see you again.” Si-Hyuk suddenly appeared. He leaned in with a heavy whisper to stop Nara’s profanity filled tirade. “I can always count on you to light up the lobby with colorful language and spirited conversation. However, for the sake of some of our more  delicate clients, may I please ask you to keep your voice down?”

“Go to hell, Si-Hyuk,” Nara barked. 

“Wow, you’re in a lovely mood today,” Si-Hyuk bowed. He then leaned down and gave Mrs. Jeon a delicate peck on the cheek. “Nice to see you again. I’ll have Mingyu get you a glass of your favorite whiskey.”

“Thanks, Boss. Have him bring it to consulting room three. Mrs. Jeon and I will be there. We have much to discuss,” Jimin beckoned Mrs. Jeon to follow him on her motorized wheelchair. 

Despite the turbulent start to their reunion, Jimin was excited to tell her the news. He rolled several of the large chairs away to make space that would allow her to park her wheelchair. She placed her wheelchair in park before slamming her palm against the glass table, “Am I getting a whiskey or not?”

“Mrs. Jeon, behave. Please? I’m not sure what has you so agitated, but if you just calm down, I think I can cheer you up. I have good news about Jeongguk. Well at least, I think it’s good news.”

Nara took a deep breath and her entire body seemed to relax. Her eyes softened as she stared up at Jimin, “Good news? Did he speak? Did he say something?” She asked urgently. For the first time since she’d arrived, there was hope in her face. 

“Not exactly,” Jimin smiled, showing all of his teeth. He rolled up his sleeves and called to the room, “I need Jeongguk’s files for his last eight sessions.”

The room filled with the blue ambient light that represented CHLOE, as the translucent screens came alive, “Hello Jimin. Right away.”

“And hurry up!” Nara added. 

“Mrs. Jeon, they only respond to employees,” Jimin laughed. As soon as he sat beside her, Mingyu entered with her whiskey. 

He gave Jimin a concerned look. “What the fuck?” He mouthed in response to her sudden frail appearance.

“I don’t know,” Jimin mouthed back as he watched Nara twist around to survey her whiskey.

Mingyu made several faces behind her back, all of which showed grave concern. “This is for you Mrs. Jeon. Nice to see you again.” He bowed and quickly left the room.

Jimin wasted no time. “Per your request, we’ve recorded each of the eight sessions so far and run brain wave analysis. For the first three sessions, we saw nothing of interest.” Jimin spoke to his virtual assistant, “Reveal.” A large 3-D image of Jeongguk sitting in his faded red chair appeared just above Nara’s head.  If we do a rough comparison of his expressions and compare it to the brain wave analysis, we see that his brain is releasing nothing but Delta waves. This is the state he’s been in for over a year now. None of the stimulus that we applied did anything to change that.”

“But that was just a baseline data capture, right?” Nara asked hopefully.

“Exactly. You are as brilliant as Si-Hyuk himself,” Jimin complimented.

Nara blushed, finally showing color beneath her pale cheeks, “Oh stop it you big tease. You’ve already got my money, stop flirting.”

“Never,” Jimin gushed. He continued, “But as you so intelligently pointed out, that was just baseline data and the stimulation we applied was nothing more than what he might experience outside of his bedroom window. But when we applied the first customized stimuli…look what happened. Reveal.” Jimin looked up as the screen projected colorful floating images in the middle of the room.

The image of Jeongguk sitting in his chair began to spinslowly, showing a full 360 degree, rotational view of him. And dancing in the air behind him was a series of graphs that represented the stark uptick in his brain activity. “Watch the graph rise sharply as more and more of the stimuli is applied. He went from a low activity Delta state to Alpha waves. It’s a discernible lift. You did a terrific job creating a model that he would respond to. I don’t think I’ve ever seen these kinds of results so quickly on the third tier. It’s incredible really.”

Nara leaned in closer. Her focus was on Jeongguk’s eyes. She searched them, looking for life. Jimin could show her as many brain activity scans as he could conjure, but unless and until she saw the life return to his eyes, their experiment was a failure.

“But he’s still so still. He’s not interacting or even smiling. Are his eyes even focused? Are you sure that he isn’t showing more brain activity just because it’s so bright in his room? His soul…it’s not there Jimin. I think, I think he’s gone.” Nara began to cry.

“Oh. Mrs. Jeon. Mrs. Jeon, please don’t cry. This is good news. He is responding. He is. His eyes may look fixed, but there is so much going on behind them. We’ve only just begun his treatments and he’s already showing progress. We’ve only been doing this for two months. This is going to work. This is going to bring him back to you. Please don’t cry.” Jimin was at a loss for what to say. Mrs. Jeon did not feel nearly as hopeful as Jimin about Jeongguk’s outlook. Jimin looked around and saw her ugly purple sweater project sticking out of her bag. He reached down for it and placed it in her hands. “Here, work on this. It’ll cheer you up while I go find another bottle of this whiskey.”

Nara laughed in the midst of her tears, “Making me forget my woes by getting me drunk is not the solution you think it is.”

“No, that’s not my intention. I just…,” Jimin wasn’t sure what to say. “It’s working. But these things take time.”

“TIME! TIME! TIME! Time is the one thing that I don’t have. Don’t you understand? A heart that should have stopped beating a decade ago, only continues because of my sheer stubbornness to allow it to stop. My time is borrowed, some may even say stolen.”

“You didn’t expect for all of this to happen overnight, did you?”

“No. But I expected to see more than just some pretty graphs that you call progress. This experiment has to work. When this first happened to my grandson, he was living with me. I should have gotten him help sooner, but I didn’t know what to do. The doctor’s have all kinds of fancy names for what’s happening to him. But I call it Caesura. At least that’s what I always tell him. Do you know what caesura is, Jimin?” Nara looked directly at him.

“No Mrs. Jeon, I can’t say that I do.”

“It’s a musical term. I first heard it from Jeongguk, years ago when he was just a little boy. He always loved teaching me new musical terms that he learned at school. One day he explained the concept of a caesura. It’s a brief, silent pause that indicates a break in the flow of sound. It’s typically a planned moment of silence written very prescriptively in a piece of music, and it often happens at a very pivotal moment in the song. As soon as the doctor’s explained Jeongguk’s condition to me, my mind flashed back to the day he taught me that word. It’s a perfect metaphor for what I imagine Jeongguk is experiencing right now; a brief silent pause at a pivotal moment in his life and it has left him muted and unable to speak. But the thing about caesura, as Jeongguk always used to explain, it is supposed to be temporary and it’s supposed to pass. For months, I’ve told myself that his condition is just temporary and when it passes, the music will flow again. His beautiful voice will flow again. But lately, I’ve started to think that I’ve been wrong about his condition. What if this is his new life? What if his caesura never ends…?”

“Don’t lose hope. He’s in there. And you’re right, this is just a little break. A moment of silence until he can catch his breath,” Jimin said optimistically. 

“Sit next to me please Jimin. Let me tell you a little secret.”

Jimin rolled the leather chair close to her. He held her hand. “Yes. What is it?”

“Jeongguk’s story is very complex. There are so many layers, none of which I will ever reveal. Only he can share his story. Only he can relay the depths of his pain.” Nara had more to say, “I’m very ill, Park Jimin. I’m tired. I’m tired of roaming this earth as a shadow stuck between this world and the next. I’m tired of the pain. I’m tired of the aches. I want to go. But I can’t, not until my boy comes back to me. This is a miserable place to be; stuck waiting on something to happen with no timeline. When you see me cry, please understand that my tears are not because of you. They are because of me. Tell me that you understand.”

“I understand,” Jimin really didn’t understand. But this was not the time to make her give detailed explanations. Jimin gave it some thought and decided to show Mrs. Jeon one additional brief clip of footage from Jeongguk’s session. “I have a confession to make.”

“A confession?”

“Yea. So during the last session, I-I kind of forgot to turn off the recorder. After I shut down all of the equipment, the camera continued to run. Now before you get upset, I was able to shut it down remotely, so his privacy was not compromised…other than for the brief snippet of time that I’m about to show you. During our last session, I removed the stimulus and the room went quiet. I left. And this is what happened afterwards. Reveal,” Jimin said to the screens.

A clip, seemingly insignificant, changed everything for Nara. There Jeongguk sat in his faded red chair, eyes like glass orbs, looking at nothing. But suddenly when they least expected it, he lifted his head and looked around his room. He managed to twist himself completely around to look towards the door where Jimin had disappeared. 

“OH MY GOD!” Nara screamed. For the first time, she could see life in his eyes. It was brief and he immediately dropped back into his solitary state. But there was a flash, a quick fallback to his old self. “He responded to you…or I should say he responded to you leaving. Or he responded to something! He’s never done that, never in almost two years. He’s never even acknowledged anything outside of himself. OH MY GOD!” Nara began to tremble and it wasn’t just her chronic arthritis.

“Yes. He was looking around for where the stimulation had gone. He wanted it back. I know that’s not a huge progression, but it’s definitely a win. So you see Mrs. Jeon, it’s working. We’re getting through to him.”

“I better get back home. I need to do more research. I have more ideas for customization. I have so much to do, so little time. Time, time, time,” Nara complained as she activated her motorized wheelchair and backed away from the table.

“Ok. I’ll help you out. Where’s Dae?”

“Who?”

“Dae, your driver.”

“Oh fuck him. He’s an incompetent ass. Refuses to turn on the heat even though I told him I was freezing. I fired him.”

“Oh really?” Jimin crossed his arms. It was the same song and dance. “Fired him? Did you? Did you really? Are we still telling that same lie?” Nara had a tendency to fire Dae at least three times per week and then rehire him without acknowledging it. “I’m doubtful that you fired him because I just saw him circling the front of the building in your limo, looking for a parking space. Get your things, I’m personally taking you back to your car. We’re going to flag him down and have him come pick you up. And then you’re going to apologize,” Jimin admonished her like an angry father talking to his ninety-one year old child.

“Apologize my ass!” Nara responded.

 

March 13th - six months into Jeongguk’s treatment with second chances…

 

Mingyu met the police at the front door of Second Chances. He rushed them inside, “Hurry, this way. Hurry. She’s out of control. We want her removed from the premises. We also want a restraining order so that she can’t come back.”

The police followed the screams. Tables shattered, and chairs were thrown against the wall. The commotion was disturbing and rocked the otherwise peaceful lobby full of clients who were waiting for their appointments. Everyone was visibly upset, as they stood by, anxious for a peek at the woman who seemed to be losing her mind. 

Jimin was just another face in the crowd. He hovered around the corner, eyes wide, heart troubled as he watched the police tackle the woman. It was surreal, seeing her thrown face down to the ground while wearing a 50 Million won custom designed gown. Tens of millions of wons worth of jewelry was tossed about as she fought with the police, refusing to be restrained. She must have spent hours in the salon and make-up chair preparing for the evening. It was all for not, because the remainder of her evening was going to be spent in a jail cell.

She screamed, “You can’t do this! You can’t take it away. I paid for this time. I paid for it. I paid for it. You can’t take it away from me. They’re mine, mine, MINE!” 

The depth of pain and sorrow in her plea was something that Jimin wouldn’t soon forget. He’d heard about situations like this, but never thought he’d actually witness one. His heart went out to Mingyu who had to deal with the out-of-control former client. Jimin wasn’t sure what to do, but he knew he had to do something. He stepped forward, a bold soul amidst a terrified crowd, and offered to help.

“Hey, what can I do?” he asked Mingyu who seemed agnostic to the entire event.

“Thanks bro. But let the police handle it. It’s all part of the job. I just hope you never find yourself in this situation,” Mingyu said casually. He was sporting a large bloody bruise on the side of his forehead where the woman had thrown her phone at him. He stepped forward to talk to the police, “Officers, this woman is stealing and trespassing. She snuck in here unannounced, even though we banned her two weeks ago. She no longer has the funds to pay, therefore it is our right to terminate her contract,” Mingyu removed a handkerchief from his suit pocket. He blotted the bloody wound. “And make sure to add assault to the list of charges.”

The police slow-walked the belligerent woman through the lobby and led her to the backseat of the police car. She cried the entire way, begging Mingyu to allow her back in. 

Jimin watched. Never in his life had he witnessed someone completely lose their mind. He turned his attention back to Mingyu, “Let me take you to the emergency room. I think you may need stitches,” Jimin said quietly as he took a closer look at Mingyu’s wound. 

“I’m fine. Please, go calm the guests. I bet they’re all freaking out over this. We need to calm them the fuck down before they all go running for their lives. Father just received a shipment of a very nice champagne. Grab Hobi and you two can pour a glass for everyone who wants one. We have to reassure them and let them know this isn’t a routine around here.”

“In a minute. First let me take a look at your cut. It looks pretty bad.” Jimin grabbed the first aid kit off of the wall. He slapped on a pair of gloves and immediately began wiping away the blood with a clean gauze. As he dressed the wound, questions poured through his mind. He needed to understand what had just happened, “Mrs. Lim has always been one of our best clients. She’s always been so quiet. What could have prompted this? I mean, was there anything in her evaluation results that should have warned us that this freak-out was possible?”

“Nothing.” Mingyu grimaced as Jimin blotted his cut. “But we’ve learned to expect the unexpected around here. This business is definitely not for the weak of heart. At any point and time, any of our clients are capable of this. Mrs. Lim has been with us for eight years.” Mingyu grimaced again as Jimin placed a butterfly adhesive on his cut, “She’s upset, which is understandable. I can only imagine how devastating it was when we cancelled her contract.”

Jimin continued, “She’s been a customer for eight years? That’s insane. We couldn’t have just figured out a way to make it work? Did we have to just kick her out?” Jimin spoke from his heart.  

“How many times do I have to tell you? This is a for-profit business. We are not a charity. We don’t give a damn what she’s paid in the past. We only care about what she can pay today. And she can no longer pay. She’s broke and therefore she’s no longer of any use to us. We can’t help her. It’s over.”

“She’s one of the wealthiest women in Seoul. How did she spend all of her money?” Jimin couldn’t understand.

“Our services are expensive, Jimin. It’s been eight years at the highest tier. She was bound to run out of money sooner or later.”

“You mean…she spent her entire fortune here at Second Chances? All of it?”

“Yes. All of it. But my new vacation home in Switzerland very much appreciates her years of financial commitment.” Mingyu laughed.

Jimin dropped his hands to his side. Suddenly he no longer felt the need to treat Mingyu’s wound. He was repulsed. “You can’t be that…cruel.”  

“Cruel? We gave her life. Eight years of a perfect life. That comes with a cost. My father sacrificed blood sweat and tears to build this business. It is lucrative solely because of its power to transform; the power to make the impossible - possible. The service is priceless and Mrs. Lim is a perfect example of what people are willing to pay to experience it. Why are you suddenly so spooked? You’ve known this from the start because we have never hidden anything from you. This job has treated you very, very well. You benefit just like the rest of us. In fact, is that yet another new Rolex you’re wearing?” Mingyu glared harshly. “Why pretend to be so morally superior now?” 

“I’m not fucking pretending to be anything. But what you just did to that woman was fucked up. She went crazy because you drove her there. You could have handled it differently. To just cut her off with no warning…,”

Mingyu screamed, “SHE HAD A WARNING! OVER and OVER and OVER we told her to make arrangements for payment. We gave her two months. And she just kept coming back with empty pockets. We finally had to ban her from the building. What do you want from us, Jimin? This is how we make money. Don’t like it? Quit. Oh but you won’t because you like fucking these pathetic losers out of their money just like the rest of us. You think I don’t know how you conned Mrs. Gong into buying a tier five package when she only committed to a tier two? You did the same thing. You threatened her. You threatened to take it all away because you knew how she would react. What we serve here is like a drug, the best drug possible. And just like drugs, people get addicted and all of it is to our benefit. So spare me your righteous indignation. Now go out to the lobby and calm everyone down. Serve champagne, smile, tap dance, I don't care. Do whatever it fucking takes to make money. I’m going home. My fucking head hurts.” Mingyu slammed the back door and left.

 

Jimin placed a spoonful of stew into Jeongguk’s mouth. He smiled as he watched the man chew and then swallow. He leaned forward slightly, his elbows resting on the table, “Good right? I mean this stew is insane. I never knew your grandmother could cook like this. Thanks for having lunch with me. Probably unprofessional to eat while working, but I’ve had a crazy day and I didn’t have a chance to grab lunch. I’ll tell you a little secret. Sitting with you, like this, is very peaceful. Silence is underrated. You know, the first time I visited you, all those months ago, I was kind of scared. Pretty sure you were a serial killer.” Jimin laughed. Jeongguk looked down at the bowl. It was an indication that he wanted more. “Oh, you want another bite? Good for you. Good. Nara will be pleased with your improved communication.” Jimin fed him another bite. “Your grandmother would typically be here doing this herself. But she’s been a little weak lately. I volunteered to help out until she gets her strength back. Won’t be long now. She’ll be back, crocheting you more ugly shit and insisting that you cut your hair. The normal stuff that grandmothers do.”

Jeongguk chewed. He watched Jimin’s lips as Jimin spoke. “There’s so much I want to learn about you. Your grandmother has forbidden me to do any further research on you with CHLOE. She says that she wants me to get to know you organically. She doesn’t want me learning the internet version of you. It’s weird, but I’ve obeyed. Not once have I asked CHLOE to give me your profile. Or shall I put it in Nara’s terms, not once have I ‘Googled’ you. I look forward to the day when we can have a full conversation. One day you’ll realize that you’re safe with me.”

 Jeongguk’s eyes fell upon the bowl again. Jimin scoffed, “You can feed yourself. Why am I doing it? Aw shit who am I kidding? I like feeding you. I like the way your dimples crease when you chew. So cute. I’m drawn to you, you know? In another life, I think we could have been…friends…I mean we are friends right now, but I mean close friends, a different kind of friends.” Jimin waned on, trying to get the events of the day out of his mind.  “Oh God why am I saying these things? I’m pretty bold just because I know I can get away with it.” He shrugged.“Look at the time. We better get started with your session.”

Jimin jumped up. Six months into using Si-Hyuk’s portable version of the PROD room meant that he was quite adept at setting it up. Within ten minutes he had the lights adjusted and the program running.

“Your grandmother and I have worked hard to increase your stimuli. We’ve added something new. I think you’ll like it.” Jimin walked around and rechecked his final settings. He dusted his hands together and then placed them on his hips, “Ok, you’re all set. I’ll step out now to give you some privacy. I’m reading a new story by that same author who wrote Bitter Peach . It’s called ENEMY . Blood, gore, mafia, hot sex - definitely my kind of story. Enjoy your session. I’ll be back in two hours.”

 

August 4th - nine months into Jeongguk’s sessions with jimin…

 

Jimin exited the consulting room. His sleeves were rolled up around his elbows, his hair was disheveled and he looked exhausted. He ran straight to the back room to grab a cup of coffee.

“Rough evaluation session?” Mingyu laughed.

“The worst.” Jimin paused. Sitting in Mingyu’s lap was his son Taehyung who was two years old. “Hi there little Tae. Nice to see you again.” Jimin bowed to the two year old and shook his hand. “I didn’t realize we were having a visitor today.”

“My wife is out of town visiting her sister who’s having a baby. So my little guy is stuck here with his dad for a couple of days. We aren’t staying long. I just need to grab some paperwork and then we’re headed to the park,” Mingyu explained. “Tell me more about Mr. Min. Anything I can do to help?”

Jimin sighed, “This guy is all over the place. I’m starting to wonder if he has any idea what he wants. I’m having a hard time getting a pulse on what package to recommend. I’ll engage CHLOE, but we may end up rejecting him altogether.”

“That would be a shame. He’s got great revenue potential,” Mingyu’s voice trailed off. Speaking solely in terms of revenue had become a sore spot between him and Jimin. It had been months since their argument over the arrest of Mingyu’s client. Being the professionals they were, they had both swept it under the rug and continued working with no further mention of it. But on this day, with baby Tae sitting in his lap, Mingyu decided to say something he’d held for weeks. “Jimin. About the argument we had over Mrs. Lim…,”

“What about it?” Jimin stiffened his back as he poured a cup of hot, black coffee. 

Mingyu didn’t immediately get to the point, but instead lingered on a tangential topic, “Remember when I told you that I wasn’t sure if I wanted my little one to take over this business? I told you, even though my father considers this place our legacy, I don’t see it that way.”

Realizing that Mingyu was showing a sense of vulnerability, Jimin took a seat next to him and gave him his full attention. He grabbed Tae from Mingyu’s arms and playfully bounced the baby boy on his lap. “Yea. I remember. Never fully understood why though.”

“I don’t want to be my father. Don’t get me wrong, I love him, I respect him, I admire him. But this business, this invention has become an obsession for him. Money, profits, power, expansion, more money, more power, repeat…it’s all he thinks about. Forcing him to take a vacation was like pulling teeth without anesthesia. He was exhausted yet we could barely get him out of here. He’s on the beach in Fiji but still calls everyday for a two hour meeting. He can’t think of anything else.” Mingyu leaned forward and made eye contact with Jimin, “I realized after you and I had our blow up, that I was becoming just like him. Everything I said to you, was something that he had at one time said to me.”

“We all become our parents. That’s nothing to be disturbed about,” Jimin remarked.

“Don’t get me wrong, my father thinks he’s doing the right thing. He believes in this product and so do I. But there is moral greyness that exists here. He’s too blind to see it. But I do. Each year that passes, causes me greater and greater reflection on my own code of ethics. Sometimes the conflict twists me in knots. Fighting with you was just an example of that. I don’t want that for my son. Shit, I don’t want that for me . But I’m committed and I can handle it. I can draw the line…most of the time. But that night, with everything going on and all of the drama from Mrs. Lim’s crash out and her arrest, it pushed me off-kilter and I took it out on you. I said some really inappropriate things and for that, I apologize. I’m sorry. Our friendship hasn’t been the same since that night and I fear that I’ve lost your respect. That saddens me, but it’s probably deserved.”

Jimin made silly faces at Tae as he bounced him in his lap. He held him upside down by his ankles, causing Tae to roar with laughter. “Consider it forgotten. And any respect that I may have lost for you back then, was just regained ten fold through your candor. You told the truth back then. I just didn’t want to hear it. You opened my eyes and forced me to look at the reality of what we do. This isn’t a fairytale, no matter what we tell our clients.”

“Thanks for letting me purge. Tae and I better get going. We’ve got a long day ahead of us. Swimming, the park, ice cream and then the library. You’re really good with kids. When’s the last time you took a vacation to go and see your nephew?”

“Over a year. I haven’t had a vacation since I started. The workload is just too heavy.” Jimin shrugged.

“Nonsense. You mean you don’t want to miss out on the money. Let’s not bullshit each other,” Mingyu said frankly. “If we can find time for dad to take a vacation, then you can too. Look at your schedule, sort through your appointments and then find a time to go. I’m sure your sister would love to see you. Don’t allow work to be an excuse for not spending time with your family. Don’t be like my dad,” Mingyu warned. 

Jimin didn’t say much. He held Tae to his chest and gave him a warm hug. His fingers feathered through the boy’s hair before booping his nose. “I do miss them - my family. Ok, I’ll schedule some time.” He made another silly face at the baby, “Tae, be a good boy for your dad. Don’t let him get into any trouble. See you next time.”

 

It was late in the afternoon. The sun had briefly receded, hiding behind a cloud and darkening the room. The hard overhead light buzzed faintly, casting a sterile glow over the mushroom colored walls. Once again the air carried the aroma of cherry blossoms. All was quiet, save for the soft murmur of a television coming from a room several doors down. The occasional shuffle of a nurse’s footsteps was the only sign of life beyond the two of them. Wobbling slightly, the table shifted left and right as Jimin’s arms rested on the surface.  

Jeongguk sat with his knees drawn up to his chest, his muscular frame swallowed by a baggy oversized sweatshirt. His dark hair fell in messy waves over his forehead, and his large brown eyes were fixed on the window in front of him. The shadows under his eyes made him look older than his thirty - one years, a testament to the sleepless nights and the weight of the anxiety that still existed in his consciousness. He had a quiet intensity about him, his sharp jawline and piercing gaze giving him a striking presence - albeit a silent one.

Across from him sat Jimin. His neck-length blonde hair, slightly tousled from the morning’s activities, caught in the light filtering through the window, giving him an almost ethereal glow. His left hand fidgeted with a small rubber stress ball that belonged to his client. 

Jeongguk’s session had long been over, yet Jimin found himself unable to leave. His focus was on the sketchbook in front of him. He sketched absentmindedly, the pencil scratching softly against the paper as he drew the outline of Jeongguk’s face. For years, art had been Jimin’s escape, the one thing that made him forget his troubles. Yet his new job had slowly taken that away from him. Long hours, emotional cases and difficult clients possessed all of his time. It was only during his time with Jeongguk that the urge to draw again struck him. The man was his muse. This was the ninth sketch that he had drawn of him. 

“Your eyes are incredibly beautiful. Has anyone ever told you that? Other than me of course…every damn time I visit.” Jimin joked. “I can’t ever seem to get them just right. But I’m getting better.” He lifted the sketch to show it to Jeongguk. The younger glanced at it briefly. “Wow. You’ve made progress. I do believe that is the “life in your eyes” that your grandmother wished for.”

There was an unspoken understanding between them. Jimin noticed right away that Jeongguk’s gaze had a tendency to linger on him during their many shared lunches. There was something about Jeongguk’s presence that made Jimin feel seen, even without words. He wondered how a connection had managed to form between them, considering their nonverbal interaction. Like a soft light gently breaking through the fog of his mind, Jimin could see the effect that the treatments were having on the muted man.

“I feel like this is the best sketch yet. Let me just add a few more details to your lips and then I’ll leave. I’ve taken up enough of your time.”

“Don’t go.”

Jimin’s pencil paused mid-stroke. He glanced up, his heart giving a small, unexpected flutter at the sound of what he recognized as Jeongguk’s voice; the first time he’d ever heard it. It was a warm melodic tone that made Jimin’s chest ache in a way he hadn’t felt in years. 

“D-d-d-did you say something?” Jimin’s breaths were uneven.

He dropped his pencil and gripped the edge of the wobbly table. Lips curving into a small, understanding smile, he waited patiently for Jeongguk to respond again. He waited. And waited. And - waited. But no other words were spoken. Jimin’s mind churned. Was it possible that he had imagined it? Did he so badly want a conversation with his mysterious client that he fabricated the sound in his head? Of course he wanted Jeongguk to ask him to stay. That would be the obvious conclusion to nine months of emotional, physical and financial investment in Jeongguk’s progress. But had the words actually been said? 

Jimin treaded lightly. If, in fact, Jeongguk had spoken, he needed to remain calm and not pressure him to speak again until he was ready. And since he wasn’t exactly sure if he had actually heard his voice or if he was just losing his own mind, he decided to let the moment pass with no further aggression. Still, his heart teetered on the verge of bursting through his chest. If this was what he thought it was, it was big…

 

Fall 2026 - One Year into Jeongguk’s sessions

 

Jimin paced up and down the lobby. Jeongguk’s latest brain scans were in. His doctor had also given him another physical. Every single test pointed to major progress in his prognosis. Second after second, he checked his watch for updates on the time. Nara was more than an hour late for her appointment and that just wasn’t like her. Jimin expected her to come rolling through like a tsunami on her expensive motorized wheelchair. He continued to pace. 

“You good?” Hobi laughed as he watched Jimin stroll with agitation through the lobby.

“Fine. Fine. Just…UGH. I have such good news to give to Mrs. Jeon. This may be the most important appointment we’ve ever had and today is the day she chose to be late.”

“Calm down before you give yourself a heart attack. She’ll be here. She’s probably pulling the tip of her cane from someone’s ass as we speak.”

Jimin laughed. Hobi was right. Being late because she was assaulting someone with a cane was a very Nara coded activity that likely explained everything. He relaxed and went to sit behind the large desk. Beyond Mrs. Jeon, he had a full day of appointments. Several new referrals had come in, many of them looking for tier six packages. There were only seven tiers so if a new client wanted tier six, it set up the potential for a very large pay day. The possibility made him gleeful. He had reconciled within himself that he really was in it for the money. 

Another thirty minutes passed with still no sign of Nara. Just when he was about to call to check on her, her driver Dae entered the lobby. 

Jimin rushed over to him, “Dae. It’s about time. I’ve been waiting. We have so much to discuss, where’s Mrs. Jeon?”

“I’m afraid she’s not able to make it today. She sent me to stand in for her. I’ve been instructed to take careful notes and report back to her immediately,” Dae said shakily.

“What do you mean, she can’t make it? What could she have to do that’s more important than this appointment? Jeongguk is her entire life. There is no way she would blow this off.”

Dae was pale and uneasy. He did his best to explain, “It’s not that she had a conflict or anything. It’s just that…well, Jimin…Mrs. Jeon is not feeling well.”

Jimin still didn’t quite understand, “Not feeling well? What else is new? She’s been feeling bad since the day I met her. That’s never stopped her,” he laughed. 

“You don’t understand…,” Dae looked around,“Can we speak privately?”

“Of course.” Jimin led Dae to one of the consulting rooms, the one he had reserved for his very highly anticipated conversation with Nara; a conversation that he was now expected to have with a driver that he hardly knew. “I should warn you. There are exclusivity and privacy concerns regarding Mrs. Jeon’s contract. I’m afraid there isn’t much that I’ll be able to tell you. But if we can just call her and get her on the phone, I’m sure we can work this out.” Jimin nodded.

Dae began to cry. 

“What’s wrong? What’s going on here?” Jimin asked as he handed a box of tissues to Dae to wipe his nose.

“She’s not well.”

“Tell me more,” Jimin said with concern.

“Mrs. Jeon is not just my employer. She’s my mother’s best friend. I’ve known her since I was born. In a way, she helped raise me. Me and her son were best friends until…well until he passed away. That’s why she never really fired me. She loves me and I love her. She’s one of the most extraordinary women I’ve ever met. Her bark was just that - a bark, no bite. She loved her son immensely and when he died, all of that love transferred over to Jeongguk. But caring for him has taken a toll on her.”

Jimin’s brows wilted, “I noticed that she hasn’t come to visit much lately. I just assumed she was busy or just slowing down.” 

“She’s not capable of visiting him, not anymore. She…she…,” Dae couldn’t say anymore.

Jimin felt his knees go weak, “Dae. What are you trying to say?”

“She’s…dying. I don’t think she has much longer. She’s on her deathbed,” Dae explained. 

“WHAT?” 

“Yes…,” Dae didn’t have a chance to complete his sentence before Jimin sprinted out of the room.

He ran through the lobby yelling instructions at Hobi, “Cancel all of my appointments. I have an emergency.” He grabbed his suit jacket and raced through the front door of Second Chances, leaving all of the customers in the lobby gawking.

 

“Mr. Park! Mr. Park, you need to sign in!” Roberta yelled at him as he ran past the front desk, setting off the security alarm. 

Jimin couldn’t hear her. His mind was too full of his own frantic thoughts. He had to get to Jeongguk. His mind raced as he fought back tears. The wind swept through his hair as he sprinted down the hallway, turning left and right through the winding corridor. He burst through the door of Jeongguk’s room.

“Come on. We have to go. We have to go NOW!” He yelled.

Jeongguk’s eyes widened in response to Jimin’s sudden appearance. Jimin grabbed him hard by the arm and pulled him to his feet. Jeongguk did not resist. 

“It’s your grandmother. She needs you. She needs you, Jeongguk. Listen to me. We have to get you to her, right away. I don’t know…,” Jimin only understood portions of the traumatic experience that had landed Jeongguk in the mental hospital. He had no complete facts about what had happened. Therefore, every word he said to him needed to be carefully crafted to avoid any triggering events. Yet, this was an urgent matter and he didn’t have time to fuck around. If it was true that Nara was dying, he had to make sure that Jeongguk saw her first. He helped Jeongguk put on his shoes and then steered him towards the door. “I’ll drive you there. Just trust me. Trust me. You’re safe with me, always. Always.”

Roberta was suddenly behind him. “Where are you going? You can’t take him out of here. You don’t have the authority.”

Jimin pleaded with her, “Please Roberta. Just look the other way. I’ll get him back safely I promise. But I have to get him to his grandmother. It’s an emergency.”

Roberta’s eyes filled with tears. “Why? What’s wrong?”

“Nara’s…not well. She needs to see him. She has to see him. Please move out of the way.”

“Jimin, please don’t do this. This is kidnapping. I can’t let you do this. It’s against policy. I’ll have to call security and the police. Please Jimin, just leave him here. We can figure this out. Don’t make me do this.”

“You can’t stop me. I’m sorry.” Jimin continued pulling Jeongguk into the hallway.

“No. I’m the one who’s sorry.” Roberta ran over to the emergency pull cord and yanked it hard to alert security. An additional set of alarms began to blare as Jimin worked Jeongguk through the corridor.

He paused for a nanosecond to give Jeongguk some very clear instructions, “Look. I’m busting you out of here. So far, our escape is not going well. I’m going to need you to run. Like…run your ass off. RUN! RUN!” He grabbed Jeongguk’s hand and pulled him as they both took off running. 

Jeongguk understood the assignment. He ran so fast that he almost outpaced Jimin. The two dove into the front seat of Jimin’s Porsche just as security arrived at Jeongguk’s room. They sped off undetected and hit the expressway at over ninety miles per hour.

 

Jimin drove like a maniac through the streets of Cheongdam-dong. He felt the pressure. Everything in his gut told him that they didn’t have much time. Finding Nara’s house was not difficult. It was easily the largest house on the street. He recounted the sad story that CHLOE had told him about how she had sold it to the government as a historical home, just to raise funds to bring in specialists from out of the Country that National Health Care wouldn’t cover.

Jimin made it through the gates yet he had no idea how he was going to get inside. He assumed that a place like this had to have security and guards and butlers. But he’d never been exposed to the elite socialites of Seoul, so he had no real idea how any of it worked. 

 Jimin helped Jeongguk out of the car. They walked up to the palatial entrance with the wrought iron front door. “Well, we’re here. Now we just have to figure out how to get in.”

And then Jeongguk did the most improbable thing. He leaned down and lifted the mat. Underneath was a shiny gold key that Jimin assumed opened the front door. Jeongguk handed it to him, eyes full of expression and worry. 

Jimin stared into the glistening eyes of his favorite client, “Life. There’s life there. It’s exactly what she demanded of you,” he smiled.

Jimin used the key to open the door. The place was comically enormous. He stepped into the lobby, eyes wandering over the pricey oil paintings that hung high on the walls. “I have no idea where to go from here.” He said with his mouth agape. “Do you know where her room is?”

Jeongguk took the lead. They made their way up the stairs where they were unexpectedly greeted by Nara’s long-time nurse. She was so stunned to see Jeongguk that she dropped her tray, causing a cacophony of clangs and bangs as the contents hit the floor. “JEONGGUK! What - what are you doing here? Oh Ggukie!” She ran to him and embraced him warmly. “Does she know you’re coming? Does she know?”

Jimin stepped in front of Jeongguk since he was still tongue tied, “No. She doesn’t know. My name is…,”

“...Jimin. I know. I’ve heard wonderful things about you. Welcome. She’ll be so happy to see you - both of you. But…,” she paused and looked back towards Nara’s room, “...but I should warn you. She’s not well. Her appearance may startle you…,”

“Her appearance is as perfect as always,” Jimin said loudly.

“Right this way.” Nara’s nurse was a woman of about sixty. Jimin evaluated her carefully. She had clearly known Jeongguk for a while, given her affinity towards him. She also did not seem surprised about his lack of speech. And she must have been a close confidant of Nara’s to even know that Jimin existed.

 

Nara’s room was bright and vibrant, exactly like she expected Jeongguk’s room to be. The entire wall was full of windows and each one was open to allow the breeze to blow through. The curtains billowed each time the wind picked up. Her space had no singular design aesthetic or color scheme. Rather, it was adorned in mixed matched fabrics of silk and velvet floral print. The walls were covered with oil paintings of people that Jimin assumed were part of the Jeon ancestral tree.

The television was on, although it was muted. Instead of the ambient noise from the television, a constant string of classical cello music was being piped through her speakers. Jimin smiled. From what he knew about the Jeons, they really loved cello music. 

A collection of unfinished crochet projects sat in the corner on a table near the window. Sitting atop of the nest of tattered yarn, was the completed purple sweater that Nara had been working on for months. There was a bow affixed to the front and Jeongguk’s name was scribbled on a tag. Her most important work was complete, but she had been too ill to deliver it to him. 

Jimin made frequent checks of Jeongguk’s expressions. He wasn’t sure how any of it was affecting him, but he kept a watchful eye. The younger one seemed to be taking it all in measured waves. It was a positive response that Jimin hoped he could maintain.

At first glance, the large bed seemed empty. With only a slight gathering of the thick covers, it was difficult to decipher that a person was lying there. But as Jimin and Jeongguk walked closer, their eyes fell upon her. Jimin could feel the lump burning in his throat. He could feel the sting of tears begin to collect as his eyes fed the images back to his brain. 

Nara was barely breathing. There was a whistling in her chest with each sparse breath that she took. Her luscious white hair had faded, leaving bald, spotted, flesh with feeble white strands jetting wildly from the follicles. Her face was sunken, yet her skin maintained its olive coloring, indicative of Nara’s insistence on being allowed to bask in the sun, regardless of her medical condition. Her eyes were closed. There was an IV drip attached to a port in her left wrist and a pulse monitor on her finger. To Jimin, it seemed as if the world was resolved to the fact that she was going to die. Efforts to save her or treat her were not part of the plan. It was probably Nara who insisted that it be that way.

Jeongguk remained behind and stood at the door. But Jimin stepped all the way into the room and walked directly to Nara’s bed. His own trauma was triggered. His mind immediately flashed back to being by his mother’s bedside on the day she died. Nara knew all about his suffering. Maybe she knew that this day would come because she had fed him all the words of comfort that he needed to hear.  A year ago at the moment where she signed the contract, she insisted that he purge his soul. She insisted on hearing his story. He replayed her words in his head as he grabbed her wilted hand and held it tightly within his. 

“I was beginning to think you found another boyfriend. Skipping appointments, avoiding my phone calls, leaving my texts on read. You sure know how to break a man’s heart,” Jimin teased.

Nara opened her eyes. They were as big and beautiful as they had always been. She stared blankly at the ceiling. She seemed to be thinking. With recognition of his colorful voice, she turned towards him,  “Park Jimin. I should…should…spank you with my cane.” She turned to face him.

“You’ll have to catch me first. Mrs. Jeon, why didn’t you tell me you were sick? I mean why didn’t you tell me that things had gotten worse?”

Nara didn’t answer him. It took too much energy to explain all of the reasons why she had spared giving Jimin the sad news.

He continued, “You’re my favorite client. I would have been here sooner if I had known.”

“I’m your favorite client because I pay you in cash.” Nara struggled for another breath, “...your love of money is going to be your downfall, you asshole.”

Jimin laughed. He had never been so happy to be called an asshole in his entire life. “Yes, Mrs. Jeon. You’re probably right.” Jimin grasped her hand tighter. 

“Call me Nara.”

“Ok, Nara. I have important news to share with you. Sit still and just listen. Jeongguk is with me. Yes. He’s here. His brain activity has gone from slight delta rays all the way to gamma. The life that you were looking for, it’s back. Your experiment is working. He’s responding. He was even able to lead me to your room and show me the key to the front door. You never gave up on him because you knew. You knew he was in there. And today, I brought him to you. I felt it was important for you to see him…to see the life in his eyes.” For reasons he couldn’t explain, Jimin started to cry. Flashes of his mother’s dying face stared back at him. He didn’t want Nara to see him that way so he dropped her hand and stepped back. He wiped his tears and his nose on his sleeve as he walked back to fetch Jeongguk from the door. He held Jeongguk’s hand and walked him forward.

Jimin only had a few sacred words to say to him, “She’s always been there for you. You are the most important thing in her life. Now it’s time for you to be there for her.”

Bach’s Cello Suite in G-Major  blasted through the speakers. It was unexplainably loud, and crisp. He looked around thinking the nurse had turned up the volume, but she had not. She stood frozen in the corner watching Jeongguk approach his grandmother. He had not seen Nara in months. Time had escaped them all. Accordingly, he began to cry as the sound of his own solo played in the distance. Her downfall had happened so quickly, that even Jeongguk, who had no firm grasp on time or space, was stunned at her frail appearance. 

“Ggukie? Ggukie, look at me. Look at me,” she managed to raise her wrinkled hand and lift his chin.” Their eyes met. “Life. I see the life…your life. You fought for it, didn’t you?” 

And to everyone’s stunned disbelief, Jeongguk spoke his first words in almost two years, “Don’t. Leave. Me. Grandma.”

Nara’s eyes bulged and locked on Jeongguk’s face. A feeble scream escaped her throat as she tightened her hand around Jeongguk’s hand. “Ooooohhhh my grandson!” She cried as many tears as her weak body could produce. She trembled and gasped even harder for each breath.

Jeongguk had more words for her, “You. Saved. Me. I. Love. You.” He stared directly at her, showing her the expression in his eyes, the love in his face. 

“And I love…you.” Nara’s bright eyes fixed upon him. And then without warning, her stare went cold. The light dimmed as her pupils retracted. Her eyes remained opened, stale, void of life.

Alarms blared throughout the room, echoing against the wallpapered walls. The pulse monitor, moments ago busy with healthy waves of activity, suddenly flatlined with a long single beep. 

***

Chapter Index

Chapter Four: The Maestro

🍃17,570k
🍃Heavy, heavy Angst
🍃Intense trauma
🍃Discussions of mental health
🍃Very NSFW 21+ audience
🍃Long chapter so settle in and have a cup of tea

___________________________

October 30th -three months after the death of jeon nara

 

Jeongguk squeezed the water from his dingy mop and slapped it against the linoleum floor. He scooted it around the toilets and across the panels underneath the sinks. The garbage was overstuffed. He always hated it when the night shift janitors neglected to do a last pick up before leaving. It left him burdened with more work. 

The floor was scuffed from a day of sneakers and spilled coffee. Jeongguk once again dipped his mop into the soapy water, wrung it out and pulled it along the floor in steady arcs. He worked methodically, moving from one end of the hallway to the other, careful not to bump the cart against the walls. 

The School of Performing Arts, also known as SOPA, was large with over 30,000 square feet and 800 students who all wanted to be Idols or musicians or producers. He fondly remembered the days when he attended SOPA as a student; his friends, his lessons, and the teachers he admired. But those days were distant memories because in his new life, he was just a janitor. 

He hummed to himself, a tune that his grandmother always loved, Schubert’s Sonata in A Minor . With his cart full of bleach, toilet paper, cleaning rags and brooms, he made his way towards the classical music center of the west side of the building. That was his favorite area to clean, so he always saved cleaning that wing for last. It was not uncommon to hear a struggling student grappling with a difficult piece of music. Or eavesdrop on a talented trio preparing for an audition. There was always music there, even in the late hours of his shift.

Jeongguk pushed his cart along the linoleum floor, wheels squeaking faintly under the weight of all of his cleaning supplies. He’d worked at SOPA, for three months, since the death of his grandmother Nara. He knew every creak in the building, every stubborn stain on the tile.

 

The hallway was quiet, with the exception of the soft resonant hum of a solo cello seeping through the heavy oak door of the music room. Jeongguk stopped near the door, leaning on his mop handle, listening. As per routine, there was a student inside practicing. It was a piece that Jeongguk recognized, a favorite; Bethovan’s Cello Sonata #3, Opus 69 . He was so familiar with the tune that he had every note committed to memory. Slow, mournful notes curled through the air, each one lingering like a sigh. The student made the instrument come alive and that was the sign of someone with true talent. Each stanza told a story, an elaborate and complex story. He closed his eyes to allow the sound to wash over him as he evaluated each note, each transition carefully. The tempo of the music picked up, something that Jeongguk knew was not intentional since there was no tempo change at that point of the sonata. And then the music suddenly stopped. 

With a quiet transition, Jeongguk entered the room and began emptying the waste bins. He took a quick glance at the student who was playing. 

The boy was frustrated. Jeongguk could hear the exacerbated sighs of the young man, who couldn’t have been any older than seventeen. He was hunched over his cello, brows furrowed, mouth tilted into a frown. The boy’s eyes scanned his music, looking for the measure where it all went wrong. 

Jeongguk remained quiet, trying not to disturb the boy as he went back to the beginning of his music and started again. Once again the young man repeated all of his previous mistakes, uneven tempo, improper hand placement, and lack of understanding of the true emotion of the piece. The young one stopped again, this time dropping his bow and breaking into tears.

With the broom in his hand, Jeongguk pressed the bristles into the tight corners of the music room, lining rows of dirt to be swept out into the hall. He should have held his tongue, but the boy’s tears affected him. He had experienced that same frustration many times and he completely understood how the young man was feeling.

Humbly, softly, Jeongguk spoke to him, “You’re flat. Each time you strike the third position C#, it’s flat.”

The boy jumped two feet. He didn’t realize that anyone was in the room with him, “AHH! I didn’t see you there,” he wiped his tears and stared oddly at the janitor who was giving him cello advice. “Flat? You think my C# is flat?”

“I can hear it. Respectfully, it’s flat. Play it again, please.”

The boy played the single note again. Jeongguk walked over to the piano, broom in hand, and quickly struck a C# cord for the boy to hear. “See? Do you hear that?”

“Oof. I am flat.”

“Simple to fix really. That run is so complex that you’re moving too quickly and not taking the time to make sure your finger is in the right position. If I remember correctly, there are thirty-two notes that you have to hit in measures 12 and 13. Maybe take it down to half time and practice it before moving on to full time. The flat note is throwing off your execution of the rest of the measure.  I’m willing to bet that is the cause of your timing issues. You’re pushing too quickly through the most challenging part of the piece. Likely anxiety because you’re anticipating messing it up. The more you mess it up, the more it feeds into your anxiety and fear that you will…mess it up. Slow down your practice and get it RIGHT. I’ve listened to you for the last ten minutes and each time you get to that same spot, you make the same mistake. Relax, follow my tips and try it again. You’ve got this.”

“You look…familiar.” The boy stared at Jeongguk.

“Familiar? Oh, I guess I just have one of those faces,” Jeongguk laughed. 

“How long have you been the janitor here? And why do you know so much about the cello?”

“I’ve worked here for about three months.” Jeongguk chose not to answer the second question. “You are very talented, with great potential. Many kids come through here and few of them have the talent that you have. Do not give up. Listen to the tips that I gave you, follow them and you’ll get better. You have it in you,” Jeongguk lowered his head and went back to work.

 

His body was sluggish. Normally, he would go for a quick run after dinner, but on this day, that just wasn’t going to happen. Plus, it was about to rain outside. So, he pulled his black janitorial jumpsuit down around his waist, revealing a white ribbed tank top that clung tightly to his pectoral muscles. With a full 360 degree rotation of his head to stretch his neck, he jumped high into the air and gripped the exposed steel pipe that ran parallel through his dingy apartment. He commenced with his daily pull ups, two-hundred of them within five minutes. Dropping about three feet from the pipe to the ground, he easily transitioned into single arm push-ups. After running in place and then pulverizing a torn punching bag that hung in the corner, he constricted his taut waist in a series of agonizing sit ups. The routine was bare bones, but effective. At age 31, he found himself much more fit than the gym rats who worshipped their pricey gym memberships. 

 

Jeongguk’s life was filled with minimums, denouncing all excess, even that which could improve his circumstances. When asked why he lived such a bare bones existence, he claimed it was because he had everything he needed and that his humility was his key to a long life. 

But those who knew him, knew better. Jeon Jeongguk was a man who had lost everything. Only by the selfless grace of his grandmother did he have a life at all. His world was in upheaval, recalibrated multiple times as he searched for his footing. He suffered each day staring through the lens of overwhelming grief. He was a shell of a man, a shadow of his former self. Tragedy had relentlessly beaten down his soul. But his fight was not over. Once on the brink of emotional abyss, he battled back to reclaim his modest place in the circle of life. 

 

Oddly enough, there was one expense that Jeongguk did not spare - his electrical bill. For the most inconceivable of reasons, his air conditioning ran uninhibited twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week. There was a definite purpose for his madness. His justification lay in a vintage black cello that sat in the corner of his tiny apartment. Appraised at over ₩37,608,000,000.00, $24 million U.S., it was a vintage relic unlike any other on earth. If there was anything in the world that he cared about, it was his cherished cello. 

There were many throughout his life who had suggested that he sell it for cash. But their wild suggestions were met with vitriol and disdain. Many called his fondness for the cello, “obsessive, boarding on insane.” But for Jeongguk, those opinions were like assholes - everybody had one and none of them were special. His love for the cello superseded his love for everything else in life. He cleaned it daily, tuned it nightly and changed the strings once per month even though the instrument had not been played in two and a half years.

But what no one knew, no one could ever know, was that his love for the instrument had little to do with its value and everything to do with the fact that it belonged to his dead twin sister, Jihyo. Jeongguk poured his longing, his grief, his misery, his loneliness and his anger into caring for the cello, the cello that his late sister had owned since the age of eight. It had been a gift from their deceased grandmother Nara. 

 

Like clockwork, the phone rang at 7pm sharp. Just as it did every single Friday, rain or shine. She had a real knack for ruining his weekend. He wiped his sweaty palms on his tank top before picking up the phone to check the caller ID. The caller’s identity was not a surprise.  

“Good evening, Dr. Yuri.”

“Hello Jeongguk, are you…well?”

“The cat hasn’t stolen my tongue and left me muted again, if that’s what you mean,” Jeongguk quipped.

“Given your history, I’m sure you understand why I’m asking. How are things with the job - at the school?”

“Fine, I guess. Not much to report. I empty waste baskets and mop floors.” Jeongguk turned and looked towards his window. The view from his dingy apartment was nothing but a dirty brick wall. It paled in comparison to the colorful view of life that he had from the window in his room at the mental institution. But given the choice between the two, he would choose his freedom and the brick wall any day. 

“When’s the last time you went out, hung out with friends?”

“I have no friends and you know that.”

“Well maybe it’s time you made some,” She suggested, “you need social interaction. You can’t lock yourself in that apartment. What about that teaching position we talked about? Did you apply?”

“No.”

“Why not?” Dr. Yuri became frustrated. “We agreed last month that you would give it a go.”

“It didn’t work out,” Jeongguk said simply.

“Damnit Jeongguk. I fought very hard to get you out of here. I risked my own reputation to vouch for your wellness. Your release was provisional with the agreement that you would continue to show improvement. At this rate, you’re at a very high risk of relapse. You won’t follow my instructions, you won’t take the pills that I prescribed, you won’t take my advice and you never show up for your therapy. This is not what your grandmother would have wanted. This is not what she paid me for.”

Jeongguk placed the phone on speaker and then threw it on the couch. He pulled his tank top over his head, revealing his sweaty muscular chest. Using the fabric of his shirt, he cleared the puddles of sweat from his forehead and underarms and then dropped his shirt in the hamper. As Dr. Yuri continued to talk. He tuned her out instead of polluting his mind with her spurious claims.

The woman continued to talk and she showed no signs of stopping. As a coping mechanism, he chose to rearrange the notes of her voice in his head until they presented as a Concerto of sound and movement. 

“Key of F major, B-flat, fourth position.” He had perfect pitch, so he could decipher the pivotal notes in her voice without any reference points. He closed his eyes and the music quietly began, growing to a gradual crescendo that was controlled by him. An entire symphony surrounded her. The french horns and then the clarinets, followed by the low tremelo of Violas. And finally a solo bassoon high above them all, parting the musical seas, called out to the wailing cello to make her introduction. She began her solemn song. The last song she ever played with him. 

“Jeongguk are you listening?” Dr. Yuri pressed.

Jeongguk wasn’t listening. He raised his right hand slowly to conduct the shifting tempo and usher in the key change. His heart slowed to a steady beat and his eyes remained closed - until he heard Si-Hyuk’s name. 

The music stopped. “Si-Hyuk?” Jeongguk’s eyes popped open.

“Yes, that con man that talked your grandmother out of her money. You haven’t been seeing him have you? Him and his destructive, humiliating ‘sessions’ that he subjected you to. He single handedly reversed months of progress in your therapy.”

“I should go.” The music wasn’t playing in his head anymore. All he could hear was her shrill voice. She meant well, but she had no clue what she was talking about. Too much book learning and not enough common sense. That’s what Nara always said about her. He was done with her. “We’ll talk next Friday when you call again. I’m going to be social now. In fact, I may go downstairs to the bar and bring someone home to fuck,” he disconnected the call, leaving his Therapist talking to a dial tone.

 

Time stood still. The janitor, who was too tired to turn on the stove and cook a meal, chose to eat cold beans from a can, just to have sustenance in his stomach after his two hour workout. He chomped on his beans mindlessly before dropping a few cold noodles into the can and mixing it all together. As soon as he heard his spoon scrape the bottom of the can, he tossed it across the room, slamming it into an empty bin.

Leaning forward, he relaxed on his tattered tweed couch and watched a reality show on an old black and white television that he found in the trash behind the school. None of the singers on the show were very good and most of them were out of tune. There was only so much that he could stomach before he eventually just turned it off. He stripped naked, throwing all of his clothes in the hamper and headed for the shower. 

The knock on his hollow front door was loud; loud enough for him to hear it over the spray of the water. He peeped his head from behind the shower curtain and stared towards the front of his apartment. It was late and he wondered who could possibly be visiting him at that hour. As he often told the therapist, he had no friends. So who was it? The large fluffy white towels on his rack were gifts from his grandmother. For the entire time that he lived at the mental facility, he used them. They were the one trinket that transitioned with him when he gained his freedom. He wrapped the towel around his waist and then slipped into a silk engraved robe - another gift from Nara.

“Who is it?” He yelled towards the door.

“Lee Mina-lin, from the Seoul Estate & Probate Office. I’m…or I was…your grandmother’s attorney. May I come in?  I have some important matters to discuss with you.”

“Just a minute,” Jeongguk pulled the strings on his robe into a tight knot to avoid flashing the woman when he opened the door. “Come in. Please.” He opened the door to find a tall, thin, grey-haired woman standing there. 

“Thank you. My apologies for visiting so late, but I have to leave town for business. I’ll be gone for a few weeks but I wanted to speak to you before I headed to the airport.”

“Have a seat. Can I get you a bottle of water or something?”

“No, thank you.” Mina sat on Jeongguk’s tattered couch. She was visibly uncomfortable in his small, underwhelming apartment. She looked at him with pity. Something that Jeongguk didn’t appreciate.

“It’s clean and it’s cheap. So please try to hide your disgust,” he teased.

“I’m not disgusted by anything. I’m just irritated that it all ended this way. This didn’t have to happen. None of this is your fault. Mrs. Jeon, your grandmother, was my most challenging client. We never agreed on anything. But she was also one of the loveliest, purest souls that I’ve ever met. I miss her so much. It’s been three months, but it feels like yesterday. Sometimes I read through her hand-written letters and reminisce about the time we spent together. She was very special. And she loved you more than life.”

“What do you need to speak to me about?” Jeongguk always grew uncomfortable when speaking about his dead grandmother. Her death held very bad memories for him and if he wasn’t careful, he could slip into a very bad place; a place that would land him back into the mental institution. 

Mina opened a large black leather briefcase and pulled out a stack of well organized papers. “I was responsible for settling your grandmother’s estate after she died. Sadly, there’s not much here. I’m sure you know, as a Jeon, your family was once the wealthiest in Seoul. But so much has happened. So many bad players have come into your lives. It’s just a shame really. I feel like I failed Nara. If I had just pushed harder to make her follow my advice, maybe we could have salvaged something. But she was so stubborn. She did everything exactly as she wanted and no one could stop her. If you open the binder, you’ll see a list of assets that she once held. At the time of her death, all of them had been liquidated. The biggest loss was the house. If she hadn’t agreed to the deal with the city of Seoul, then you would be living there today. Your great-great-great grandfather explicitly called out the palace as a family heirloom that could not be transferred. But leave it to Nara to find a way around that. She was so desperate for money that she liquidated the house. When she died, it defaulted back to the city and that’s why you had to find another place to live.” Once again she looked around Jeongguk’s apartment, sick to her stomach that he had to live in such squalor. “She did it without my knowledge. In fact, she did so many ill-advised things without my knowledge. If I had known what she was doing, I would have stopped it. They took over everything. I’m still fighting just to get back some of the family oil paintings that should come to you. They were very valuable and shouldn’t be part of the liquidation.”

“Desperate for money?”

“Yes. After your uncle stole all of her money, she was left virtually penniless. There were several assets that remained, the cello and the house. She would never dare touch the cello, so the house was her only option.”

“What did she need money for? Most of my mental care was handled by National Health Care,” Jeongguk asked.

“And that’s why I’m here. Besides the cello that you inherited, she did leave you one very large asset. Have you heard of Second Chances? She has it listed as some kind of exploratory therapy,” Mina asked, confused.

“Yes. Yes I have.” Jeongguk leaned forward to pay close attention to what Mina was saying.

“I don’t understand what that business does. No one I know has ever heard of it. I even tried to look it up and it’s shrouded in mystery. Anyway, whatever they do, it’s incredibly expensive. Your grandmother used the funds from the sale of the family estate to pay for an exclusive membership just for you.”

“Yes, but the service is over. They provided some ancillary tools for me to keep just after Grandma died. I use the tools quite often to keep me on track. But I no longer meet with the consultants.”

“The service is not over. Whatever they gave you was just recycled material. According to this contract, you have two more years. The only reason they stopped the sessions or whatever they’re called, was because the contract needed to be litigated so that we could transfer ownership to…you. Nara’s name was on the contract and they could not continue because she died. Part of my job was to clear that up. The contract is paid through for two additional years and it is now in your name. So if you really felt like it was helping you, you can continue as soon as tomorrow.” Mina shrugged. She still didn’t understand what the hell the company did. But if Jeongguk saw value in it, that was all that mattered. 

“I can…continue? With new sessions? I can go back?”

“You can. Legally, they couldn’t service you until this was fixed, now they can.” Mina looked down in her briefcase and pulled out several additional items. “Well that was the big reveal. Now onto the smaller stuff. Your grandmother had some personal property that was very dear to her. I have all of it in this bag. Please take it.”

Jeongguk looked down in the bag. On the very top was the ugly purple sweater that she had knitted for him. In the days following her death, he scrambled for a place to live. He had very little time to gather anything from the house, including the sweater. It was nice to have it back. Directly underneath the sweater was some old jewelry, a box of crochet needles and other trinkets that held great importance to him.

 Mina watched him with great interest. Seeing his slightly upturned smile warmed her heart. “It’s not much, but I’m sure the value goes far beyond money. I hope her belongings bring you peace. She lived an incredible life, Jeongguk. She was a firecracker and she will be greatly missed by this community. As for you, I look forward to watching you pull your life back together.” She smiled at him with a genuine and caring smile. “Oh look at the time! I’ve got a flight to catch. I better get going.” She stood to her feet and bowed in Jeongguk’s direction, “You’re a very brave man and your grandmother was very proud of you. Congrats on your recovery. I wish you luck, Maestro.”

 

 Jimin sat in the lobby of Second Chances flipping through the sketchbook that he kept hidden in the desk drawer. It had been four months since he’d last seen Jeongguk, yet it felt like years and years. The only reminders of his face lay in the many sketches that Jimin had drawn of him. His heart was uneasy, knowing that he never properly captured his eyes. After months and months of trying, his renditions were always close, but never quite right. There was more beauty in the man’s eyes than a charcoal pencil could ever express. 

Jimin wondered how Jeongguk was doing. The last he’d heard, Jeongguk had been released from the mental health facility and was living on his own. But the information was vague. He had no reliable sources, no updates, no contact, no nothing; just a sad longing to see him again. He was especially worried about the younger man’s mental health. Nara’s death had to be devastating for him.

Being forced to say goodbye to Jeongguk at the pivotal moment of his breakthrough was like a kick in the nuts. Jimin never had a chance to sit and talk to him on a personal level. They never got to interact like two friends should, exchanging words and deep conversation. He never got to tell him how proud he was for what he had accomplished. He never got to say how sorry he was about Nara’s death. He never got to see his eyes again…

 

Within hours of her death, Nara’s legal team swooped in and took over everything. All contracts that she signed had to be reviewed. The Second Chances contract, with his hefty price tag, was at the top of the list. Everyone was suspicious of the service and the company was promptly hit with a court ordered injunction to cease all contact with Jeongguk until the contract was litigated. Making matters worse, Jimin was reported to the police for kidnapping Jeongguk from the mental facility. Si-Hyuk had to pull strings with the Captain of the KNPA and the DA in order to get the charges dropped. The boss was not pleased with Jimin’s behavior, even though he understood what he was trying to do. Unsavory publicity was something they didn’t need at such a critical moment in the company’s growth. As a result, Si-Hyuk was adamant that until the contract issue was resolved, Jimin was to stay far away from Jeongguk or risk being fired. 

Jimin agreed to keep his distance, but he still found a way to contact him. Without Si-Hyuk’s permission, Jimin did something that was expressly against the rules at Second Chances. He shipped copies of Jeongguk’s sessions to his new address. His hope was to reduce the chances of withdrawal by allowing Jeongguk access to his old sessions. After seeing what happened to Mrs. Lim, Jimin was terrified Jeongguk could have a similar meltdown, possibly even a relapse. So, he took a chance that would surely get him fired if anyone ever found out. 

Jimin felt particularly bonded to Jeongguk, likely because of all of the time they spent alone together. Everyone at Second Chances understood how intimately Jimin related to him and how important he was to Jeongguk’s miraculous recovery. Yet, no one really cared. They were all perfectly happy to kick Jeongguk out and keep Nara’s money. 

Jimin himself was the biggest beneficiary of the contract dispute because he had a tier three sale that he didn’t have to execute. He was free to move on and focus on new clients, more income, more new cars and more clothes. The material things that he so deeply wanted were all within his reach. It was a win; at least that’s what everyone kept telling him. 

But for Jimin, leaving Jeongguk behind didn’t feel right. The entire situation left repugnancy growing in his stomach.  

 

Every available appointment within Jimin’s calendar was booked. The number of clients queued up to see him was insane. He had become so popular that even Mingyu fell in the sales rankings compared to him. It was another busy day. The city was bustling, the sun was shining and the lobby at Second Chances was full of dollar signs. 

Hobi, Mingyu, Si-Hyuk and Jimin were all working together to clear as many of the scheduled appointments as possible. The lobby was so loud with chatter that Si-Hyuk had to use a small intercom to call each person back to their PRODs. 

Jimin had already cleared four appointments. He’d been at it since 7am that morning and it was barely noon. He returned to his scheduling book to see who was next. The appointment was penciled in, but there was no name or phone number or initials. In fact, there was no indication of the identity of the client. 

“Who took this appointment?” He fussed under his breath. The lobby was so crowded. No one seemed to be lingering by the desk. It wasn’t very professional, but he did what he had to do. He grabbed the intercom and spoke loudly into it, causing a slight squeak as his voice projected through it, “Uhh, is there an 11:30 appointment here for Park Jimin? 11:30? I’m sorry, I don’t have the client’s name in my book. But if you have an 11:30 appointment with Park Jimin, could you please step forward?”

 

Everyone in the crowd shifted slightly, graciously making room for the mysterious client that Jimin was beckoning. After several seconds of waiting, no one stepped forward. The crowd resumed its normal banter as Jimin restlessly scanned the faces looking for someone - anyone - he recognized. He had no idea which of his many clients was there to see him. It obviously was an existing client who needed to be placed in a PROD, but without the right information, he couldn’t even prep the room. He wondered if maybe the ghost appointment was a joke being played on him by Hobi and Mingyu. They always loved to tease him. 

He looked into the crowd of faces one last time, “11:30 for Park Jimin, last call. If you don’t show yourself now, I’ll have to move on,” he said sultrily into the intercom. He laughed at himself, certain he had fallen victim to a prank. But, just as he placed the intercom down on the desk, he noticed a dark haired man moving towards him, skimming through the crowd. He couldn’t see his face, just the top of his head as he walked with a steady pace towards the front desk.

Could this be him? Jimin wondered. He didn’t recognize him and there were too many people in front of him still for Jimin to have a really good look. It was promising. The man was still advancing, winding his way from the very back of the room to the very front. And then, suddenly, the man came into view. Jimin’s heart lurched. Months and months and months had passed since their last meeting. His last memory of him was watching him cry on his grandmother’s chest after she took her last breath.

Jeongguk’s eyes, glistening and full of life locked onto Jimin’s. Wordlessly they moved towards each other as if floating on a cloud of air. There was no conscious decision to embrace, it was an organic reaction to seeing each other after such a long time apart. Jimin’s lean frame pressed against Jeongguk’s broad chest as their bodies molded together with a familiar yet distant warmth.

Jeongguk’s fingers gripped Jimin’s black suit jacket, while Jimin’s arms tightened around Jeongguk’s waist. His breath hitched against Jeongguk’s neck as he held his unshed tears. The hug was a tangle of longing and relief, their heartbeats syncing through their thick clothes. Their cheeks grazed against each other as they savored the moment. 

“I can’t believe you’re here. I’ve missed you so much,” Jimin choked out, voice raw with emotion and shock. His words scratched against Jeongguk’s neck as he held him tightly.

They stood there for untold minutes with their bodies fused while the crowded lobby of people faded behind them. Jeongguk’s voice was shaky as he responded, “I’ve…missed you too.”

The familiar smell of cherry blossoms grounded him, bringing Jimin back to life. He found his words, “Are you my 11:30?” He laughed.

“Yea. According to my grandmother’s lawyers, this contract belongs to me now. I heard she paid in cash, so I’m here to collect,” Jeongguk smiled back.

Jimin was not accustomed to hearing Jeongguk’s speaking voice. It took him a moment to absorb it; the rich tone, the soft edges, the steadiness.

“You sound incredible. You look…incredible.” Once again Jimin hugged him, bracketing his face with his hands and staring into his eyes. “One day, I’ll draw them correctly.”

Jeongguk laughed knowingly. He was quite aware of Jimin’s longstanding struggle to capture the essence of his eyes within his drawings. “I’m sure you’ll get it right. It just takes…practice, I guess.”

Even though Jeongguk’s estate was in financial ruin, he still had an heir of regality to him, just like Nara. The wealth was in his blood, even though his material life didn’t align to it. His clothes were modest; a white long sleeve collared shirt, simple black slacks and hair pulled back into a ponytail. 

“Jeongguk, why didn’t you tell me you were coming back? I know we have a session scheduled but I can’t…I can’t just throw you into a PROD and walk away. I have to talk to you. I have to know how you’ve been. I’ve known you for over a year and we’ve never had a reciprocal conversation. I know it’s not professional, I know this isn’t what you planned for. But I consider you a friend and clearly there’s been many changes in your life and I want to hear all about it. I need to know how you’re doing. Just a few minutes to talk before your session, that’s all I’m asking for. Please give me that much?”

“No,” Jeongguk said firmly. “I’m here for my session. I’m not here to…talk.”

Jimin nodded, “Yes. Yes, I understand,” he said with grave disappointment, “Give me just a few minutes. Since I didn’t expect you, I didn’t prepare your PROD and…,”

“...I’ve been given an assignment by my therapist. She means well, but she really does grate on my nerves. Anyway, she says that I need to be more social or else risk a relapse. I don’t want that and I’m sure you don’t either. So maybe you’ll consider helping me with that part of my post institutional therapy?”

Jimin didn’t quite understand, “You want me to help you be more social?”

“Yes. We can start by talking, over dinner, away from here, after you finish for the day. I’ll practice talking and being social and you can continue your strange obsession with drawing my eyes.” Jeongguk made a dry joke that caused Jimin to burst into laughter.

“Are you asking me to dinner?”

“To talk. Everyone around me seems very vested in me talking these days. I don’t trust many people to help me with that assignment. But you’ve always said that I could trust you.”

“And you can always trust me.”

 

Jimin didn’t mean to panic, but he did. This was the first time servicing Jeongguk in an actual PROD room. Sure, Si-Hyuk’s mobile version of the output was extraordinary and did its job well. But the experience that he could give in person with the official equipment would be unparalleled. It was going to be something that Jeongguk had never experienced before and Jimin needed it to be perfect. But perfection took preparation. He slammed CHLOE with tasks as they worked together to retrofit PROD 13 with Jeongguk’s customized profile. Meanwhile, Jeongguk was left to wait patiently while sipping coffee in the lobby.

The pressure was on. It wasn’t just about providing Jeongguk what he had paid for. It was about blowing his mind and taking him to emotional places he’d never been before. Jimin understood how important their service was and he was determined to make every session more special than the last. He worked feverishly, hands flying over the keyboard as he loaded all of the historical references from Nara’s evaluation. He barely registered the door opening and closing behind him.

Mingyu entered the room, “Holy shit. Am I drunk or did I just see a ghost?”

Jimin laughed, “What are you talking about Ming? Stop fucking around, I’m busy,” Jimin said teasingly.

Mingyu gripped his chest dramatically as if he were going to faint, “Is that theee Jeon Jeongguk that I just saw loitering in the lobby? He’s here? He’s actually in our building?”

“The one and only. He showed up out of the blue for a session. He said the contract was resolved and he’s officially the client now. He made a point to remind me that he still has two years worth of paid service remaining.”

“Did you verify it?”

“Yep. Everything has been taken out of Nara’s name and replaced with his. It’s all in the system including a copy of the signed affidavit. He’s legit. We’re now in business with  Mr. Jeon.”

“You seem very happy about that. Let me guess, he’s loaded right? They found stacks of cash under the old hag’s bed when she died? Money is the only thing that could make you this excited. I smell a possible tier seven coming.”

“You know me better than that. It’s not just about money. And no, he’s not rich. In fact, I believe he’s quite the opposite. I don’t have all of the details yet, but I’m sure I’ll learn more at dinner.”

“Dinner? What do you mean by dinner? Dinner with who?” Mingyu suddenly became very serious. 

“Dinner - with Jeongguk. Just to talk and get caught up on things. You know how it goes…,”

“You can’t go to dinner with…a client. Unless, it’s business. Please tell me it’s just business.”

“It’s just business,” Jimin told the partial truth. Although it may have just been a business outing for Jeongguk, it was much more than that for Jimin but he knew better than to give Ming that information.

Mingyu settled in to give Jimin advice that he didn’t ask for, “Be careful here. From the start, nothing about Jeongguk’s case has been normal. Usually we keep a healthy distance between us and the client, but with Jeongguk, you weren’t able to do that. He’s attractive, mysterious, possibly rich. I get it…,”

“Ming stop! Don’t go there. That’s not what’s happening here. Save your breath. In fact, please leave, I still have too much work to do to get the room prepared.”

“You’re very defensive about that innocent dinner. That’s not a good sign.” Mingyu looked worried,  “Ok, I’ll leave, but before I go, there’s something you should know about Mr. Jeon.”

“What now?” Jimin sighed heavily. 

“This man is not…who you think he is. His story is very complex. I never mentioned any of this because honestly, I didn’t think it mattered. I didn’t think the wackadoo would ever speak again. And I certainly didn’t think he would ever come back after his grandmother died. I thought this contract dispute would last until the end of time. But I was wrong. He’s back and now you have to know how to deal with him.”

“You’re speaking in riddles,” Jimin grew frustrated.

“When you first met him in person. Did he look remotely familiar to you? At all?”

Jimin gave that question some thought. In fact - Jeongguk did look familiar the first time he met him. But after months of getting to know him and spending time together, he was positive that he had never met him before. “No…maybe. I don’t know. Why does that matter?”

“They call him Maestro. At least that’s how the world knows him.”

“M-m-maestro?” Jimin was unsure what that was in reference to. 

“I’ve never really done a deep dive into the evaluation that Nara completed, but I do know that it’s heavily centered around music and a few other elements. Cello, right?”

Jimin dropped his pen and bulged his eyes, “YES! YES, everything revolves around the cello. It’s part of every session that she designed for him. I never understood why.”

“Well hold on to your Balenciaga boxer briefs. Jeon Jeongguk is the world’s most premier Cellist. Hence the great honor of the classical music world labeling him, Maestro. It is a tremendous honor typically only given to Conductors. But Jeongguk is such a legend, that he was given that title officially. Even if you know nothing about classical music, you’ve seen him perform at least once. That’s why he looked familiar when you first saw him. That’s also why Nara never gave you pictures because she didn’t want you to know who he really was. Once upon a time, his face was everywhere. He performed at the Blue House, the White House, the Burj Khalifa, the UN, and everywhere in between. He toured the country for years until he suddenly dropped off of the face of the earth two years ago. Right about the same time  that Nara had him committed to the crazy house.”

“What? Fuck! What could have happened to change his life so drastically? What kind of trauma did he suffer?”

Mingyu shook his head, “I don’t know. There isn’t a lot of information about him from the last three years. Although Nara was damn near indigent, she still had social clout in this town. I suspect she kept the media quiet by hiding the circumstances of his breakdown. Even CHLOE came up empty when I tried to find out more.”

“He’s a cello player?” Jimin thought back to Jeongguk’s lovely long fingers; the way they delicately tapped the table during their visits, the way his veins traveled in branches down the back of his hand and the way he so firmly gripped the stress ball whenever he sat for one of Jimin’s drawings. “Beautiful hands,” Jimin mumbled, “it makes perfect sense.”

“Yeah, yeah, stop all of the daydreaming. We’ve got a real chance to score some money here. If I were you, I would start probing. Now that he’s decided to talk again, start pushing him towards upgrading. You don’t reach his status in the classical music world and not have money stashed somewhere. I think you can get him past tier three and maybe all the way to five or six. Find the money. Or at the very least, get him interested in going back to work now that he’s out of the crazy house. His earning potential is endless, as long as he can still play.”

“Maestro?” Jimin still couldn’t believe it. “I’m on it. I’ll see what I can do.”

“Good. We’re counting on you.” Mingyu rose to his feet. All 168 centimeters of him filled the room. “Oh and Jimin,” Mingyu spoke softly, gently, with great understanding. “You should probably get rid of those portraits in the desk drawer before my father stumbles upon them. Maybe take them home or something. I don’t think dad would approve of you having drawings of a client.”

 

It wasn’t as if he were meeting Jeongguk for the first time. They were friends, old buddies, pals. They had known each other for over a year. So why did Jimin spend two hours lamenting over what to wear. It was just a casual dinner at a bar down the street from his apartment. There was no need for him to dress in his fancy couture suit. Flaunting his wealth seemed a bit contumelious given Jeongguk’s personal finances. Instead, Jimin chose something modest; a white knit shirt, baggy black jeans and tennis shoes. He fussed with his hair for as long as he fussed with his clothing. 

A part of him was deeply concerned about their first official conversation. How did Jeongguk really feel about him? Was the bond he felt one sided or did Jeongguk feel the same? If Nara was any indication, the Jeons had a knack for saying what was on their minds and not holding back. Would Jeongguk be the same way? Would Jimin walk away from their date feeling humiliated?

“Date? Why did you call it a date?” Jimin admonished himself for hyping their dinner into something more than it actually was.

He took a deep breath to steady his nerves as he fled into the cool fall air with his coat and scarf.

 

Jimin walked through the doors of the small restaurant. Peeling wallpaper and the faint smell of fried Dakgangjeong met him at the entrance. The lights were dim, making the space feel intimate and cozy. A low rumble of voices filled the air as small groups of friends gathered at every table. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust but when they did, he immediately spotted Jeongguk sitting in a booth against the wall. He raised his hand so that Jimin could see him.

Jimin made his way over, pulling away his coat and scarf as he drew closer. He stood there, not sure what to do, hoping that Jeongguk would offer another hug. Jimin wanted to feel his body one more time, just to share his warmth. Jeongguk stood to his feet and greeted him and just as Jimin hoped, he embraced him once again.

“Thank you for coming. I guess we have a lot to talk about,” Jeongguk suggested.

Jimin sat quickly, bumping his knee against the leg of the table. The saltshaker rattled and the table rocked back and forth. “Sorry. I guess I’m a little nervous.” He laughed at himself.

“It’s understandable. This represents a kind of instauration for the two of us. I think our friendship will definitely evolve a bit more quickly now that I’m capable of talking back,” Jeongguk told another dry joke. 

Jimin leaned forward and delicately cupped Jeongguk’s hand. He couldn’t help himself, he had to know. “Jeongguk, how are you? Please tell me everything. What have you been doing all this time? How are you surviving? I know that Nara’s death was sudden and I’ve been so worried about you. How did you handle it? Where did you go?” Jimin caught himself. He was so eager to hear Jeongguk’s words that he found himself leaning clear across the table towards him. He settled back and released the younger’s hand. “I’m sorry. A bit aggressive. Please forgive me. I’ve just been so curious about you. It’s been such a long time. I was arrested shortly after Nara’s death so I didn’t even have a chance to say goodbye to you that day.”

“Arrested? For breaking me out?”

“Yea. But I had to and I don’t regret it. I hope you can forgive me. We had to get to her before she…,”

“Before she died.” Jeongguk sighed. He looked into Jimin’s eyes, “Take a breath, there is nothing to forgive and everything to be grateful for. I was allowed to say my last words to her. My voice was the last one she ever heard, it was the voice that she had risked everything to finally hear again. I was able to give that final gift to her and it’s because of you,” Jeongguk smiled. He gestured for the server to bring them glasses of water. 

“And back to my original question, how are you?”

“I am…alive. Taking it day by day. And yes, my Grandma’s death was very difficult. However, I managed to stay above water. Most of that was because of the tapes you sent me. I never stopped watching them. I’m forever grateful. I know you took a big risk to get those to me. I don’t know what I would have done without them. I probably would have ended up right back in there.” Jeongguk sat back and eyed Jimin carefully. He reclaimed Jimin’s hand that sat in the middle of the table and bundled their fingers. “Anyway, right after Grandma’s death, I was sent back to the mental institution. But after that day, the floodgates opened and I just started talking again. Even in my grief, I had so much to say.” He laughed, “It was my therapist who fought for me. She convinced the other doctors on staff that I no longer needed to be there. You have to understand, it was my grandmother who had me committed. She was the only one who could approve my release. With her being dead, Dr. Yuri became my advocate. If it weren’t for her, I would still be in there, staring through that picture window. Within 30 days of my grandmother’s death, I was out, but I had nowhere to go. Before my stint in the institution, I had been living with my grandma Nara at our family home. But by the time I got out, the house was gone, so I was homeless.”

“That’s right. Your grandmother sold the mansion to the Seoul Historical Society. They technically owned it.”

“She did, they did and I was out. I wasn’t allowed to go back even though that house had been in my family for over 100 years. Anyway, I had enough money to crash at a hotel for a few weeks before I was finally able to find a job.”

“You found a job? Where?”

“SOPA. The School Of Performing Arts. I’m a…janitor.” Jeongguk watched for judgement in Jimin’s eyes. He was ashamed to tell him about his occupation, but he didn’t want to keep secrets from him either. 

“A janitor? I didn’t expect that. Why did you choose to do that kind of work?”

“I work alone. No one really knows me there. I keep to myself and I don’t have to pretend to be something that I’m not quite ready to be. Despite a few pictures and trophies with my name on them, I’m a nobody, another face with a meager job that doesn’t bring attention to himself. I don’t know how to explain it but…that’s what I need right now. Until I’m ready to really face the world again, this is the job for me.”

“Such beautiful reasons. You really understand yourself very well. You’re taking your recovery seriously. Remind me to ask you for tips on how to get scuff marks off of my tile floor, but I digress,” Jimin teased.

Jeongguk was relieved. He couldn’t have asked for a more understanding response. This was exactly why he was so drawn to Jimin and why he appreciated him so much. “I know exactly how to get rid of scuff marks. I deal with them everyday,” He said proudly.

Jimin wasn’t done with his probing, “And are you still going to your therapy appointments?”

“No, because I don’t need her. All I need is Second Chances. Your services are what got me talking again, not her,” Jeongguk said combatively.

“Yes, you do need her. Our service is great, but there is no substitute for a trained professional who can monitor your progress. Promise me that you’ll keep your appointments with her. I’ve watched her in action. She’s incredible and she cares deeply for you. Give her a chance…please?” 

“Ok, so maybe I could be a little more committed to going to see her.”

Jimin spoke with excitement, “That’s all I can ask. I heard you have a place of your own now. Is that true too? Was that the address where I sent the tapes?”

“Yes. It’s true.”

Jimin felt silly for wanting to cry, but he was so proud of Jeongguk and his progress. “You did it. You reclaimed your life.”

“I don’t know if I would go that far but life is better. Anything is better than being locked up in a crazy house.”

“Don’t call it that. There were some good people there, and you were one of them. Needing a little professional support doesn’t make you crazy.”

The server appeared, “May I take your order?” 

“Oh, I haven’t even looked at the menu. Jeongguk, this is your place. Any suggestions?” Jimin deferred.

“Ah yes. I think I can handle that.” 

Jeongguk proceeded to order half of the menu. He wanted Jimin to sample all of his favorites. When he was done placing his order, he smiled at the server and added a bottle of wine to top it off.

“You were always a good eater. I think some of our best times together were when we were eating good food.”

The server came back briefly to drop a starter of miso ramen.

“Sometimes you would feed me. You always treated me like I was your responsibility.”

“You remember that?”

“I do, very clearly.”

“In many ways, you were my responsibility. The treatment at Second Chances was your grandmother’s last hope for saving you. There was unspoken pressure on me to make sure that the treatment worked. I felt that if the treatment failed, then I failed. I had a vested interest in making sure that you were ok in all the ways that mattered.”

Jeongguk leaned forward and playfully opened his mouth, waiting for Jimin to feed him. 

Jimin burst into giggles. He swirled a lump of noodles around his chopsticks and shoved them into Jeongguk’s mouth. He couldn’t stop laughing. Jeongguk’s personality was lighthearted and playful, exactly how Jimin had always imagined him to be. 

“Mmmm. Delicious.” Jeongguk wiped his mouth with his palm and laughed along with Jimin. “Just like old times.”

“Yea, so I’m thinking maybe we shouldn’t be so quick to reenact your days in the mental institution.”

“It wasn’t all bad, I guess.” Jeongguk’s eyes were warm and focused. He was so different from the Jeongguk that Jimin had spent so much time treating. “Uh, look, before we venture off into a thousand different topics, I need to say something to you right here and right now.”

“Ok, what is it?” Jimin was nervous. 

This was the moment of truth. Was Jeongguk about to tell him that he never wanted to see him again? Was he about to chastise him for staying away for four long months? Was he going to accuse him of stealing his grandmother’s money and being the reason they lost their mansion? What was he going to say and how was Jimin going to respond? He didn’t know.

“Thank you. Thank you for everything you did for me. Only two people in the world believed that I was still in here,” he thumped his chest with his fist, “Grandma and…you. So thank you Park Jimin for never giving up on me.”

Jimin modestly deflated his role in Jeongguk’s recovery, “I was being paid to be there. Plus your grandmother threatened to beat me with her cane if I fucked up, so I really had no choice.” Jimin fell over the table with laughter.

“It wasn’t just about the money for you Jimin. You may tell yourself that but I know the truth. You cared about Grandma Nara and you cared about me.”

“I still care about you,” Jimin spoke into his bowl of ramen. He laughed again to fill the awkward silence. 

Jeongguk wasn’t laughing. “I don’t remember much from that time. I don’t even remember how I got there or the day I stopped speaking. I…,” Jeongguk’s voice trailed off. He was afraid that Jimin wouldn’t understand.

“Hey, it’s ok. You can be honest with me. Tell me, if you can, what was it like? What did you experience? Why did you stop talking? How did it all start? Once again, Jimin asked too many questions, all of them deeply complex.

Jeongguk didn’t know if he had answers, but he felt obligated to tell Jimin as much as he could, “The best way to describe it was like being surrounded by a white fog. I couldn’t see faces, I couldn’t hear voices. I didn’t know which way was up and which was down. I was alone even when surrounded by a room full of people. The one thing that I do remember was the constant playing of music in my head. There was always music and it was very loud, drowning out all other sounds. Some of the music was familiar to me, but much of it wasn’t. I realize now that I may have been composing new songs in my head as a trauma response; a way to block out the bad thoughts. I heard full symphonies all of the time, even while I was sleeping. That’s all that I know. Maybe one day, I’ll sit with Dr. Yuri and she can explain why I went completely bonkers for two full years.”

“When you and I first met, we did a series of brain scans to evaluate your stimuli. Your brain activity registered pretty low. It was quite upsetting for your grandmother. But over time your brain activity improved, until one day, when it mattered the most, you spoke to us. What changed?”

“I think we both know what changed.”

Jimin smirked, “The sessions?”

“Yes. They saved my life. From the first moment I experienced it, the fog began to lift. The music quieted. And the experience today in the PROD room, holy shit! I understand why this service is so expensive. I’ve never imagined that something could be so powerful, so exhilarating, so perfect. I feel like a changed man already. Today may have been the best day of my life. And to top it off, I got to have dinner with you. Too bad I didn’t have all of this three years ago.”

The server arrived with their bottle of wine, plus two of the eight dishes that Jeongguk had ordered. She silently placed the plates between the two of them. They were so focused on their conversation and so focused on each other, that they barely realized she was there. 

Jimin was intuitive. He sensed that diving too deeply into Jeongguk’s psychosis might be triggering, so he took over the conversation with what he hoped would be a lighter topic. “I learned very recently that you’re kind of a Global Superstar. Now when exactly were you going to tell me that you’re famous? A world renowned Cellist. Now I understand why that was such an integral part of your program. I’m going to need an autograph, Maestro.” Jimin laughed as he casually eyed all of the plates full of delicious food. 

Jeongguk’s voice dipped slightly. He spoke almost in a whisper as his eyes glazed over. It was a look that Jimin had seen many times. Jeongguk was uneasy. Jimin wondered if he had accidentally hit a trigger.

“I hate being called that,” Jeongguk stated quietly. His head was down and his eyes were closed.

Jimin scrambled to fix it, “Oh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. I just learned about your background today and I -I- I shouldn’t have brought it up. I won’t call you that again.”

“I’m no Maestro. Not anymore. I haven’t played in over two years. I don’t know if I’ll ever be ready to face those memories. The sessions at Second Chances keep me whole. That’s all I’ll say for now.”

Mercifully, the server broke the moment by delivering the remainder of their order. Jimin shifted the conversation once again, “So much food. Did you order everything in the restaurant?”

Jeongguk didn’t respond. His eyes were still hollow and glossy.  

“Open up. Let’s try this one.” Jimin shoved a spoon towards Jeongguk’s mouth.

Jeongguk’s dead stare was broken. He looked into Jimin’s face only to be greeted by a large spoon full of kimchi rice. 

 

The rest of the evening passed without Jimin stumbling into more emotional quicksand with Jeongguk. He could tell that the scars of depression and trauma were still fresh and Jeongguk had a long way to go before addressing all of the turmoil of his past. To Jimin’s frustration, he still didn’t know what had started Jeongguk’s mental spiral in the first place. Since Nara had managed to keep all of the information out of the public, Jimin would just have to learn the truth from Jeongguk - when he was ready to tell it.

 

Late November draped the city in a crisp, amber veil. Ginkgo trees along Sejong-daero shed their golden leaves, carpeting sidewalks in a fleeting mosaic that crunched under hurried footsteps. The air carried a sharp bite, mingling with the smoky aroma of roasted bungeo-ppang from street vendors’ carts. 

 

As December crept in, the city’s pulse quickened. Myeongdong’s narrow alleys buzzed with shoppers, their bags stuffed with gifts and glittering ornaments. Neon signs flickered above, casting a kaleidoscope of reds, blues, and golds onto the pavement. The first snowflakes fell tentatively, dusting the black coats of corporate businessmen rushing to subway stations and melting on the warm griddles of hotteok vendors. By mid-December, the snow grew bolder, blanketing Seoul in a soft, relentless white. 

Christmas loomed, and Seoul adorned itself in festive splendor. Even the chaos of Itaewon felt subdued, its bars and restaurants aglow with fairy lights strung across awnings, inviting passersby to linger over hot chocolate spiked with soju.

 

And in the tiny little apartment in Itaewon’s south side, sat Jeongguk. Fresh from his most successful session at Second Chances, his mood had never been so light, so down right happy. He fumbled with his tiny little green tree that was no more than a meter tall. Each of the ornaments was a different orchestral instrument. The lights were multi-colored and flickered on and off due to a blown fuse in his electrical panel. But as he danced around the couch, listening to his favorite Christmas cello solos, he could feel nothing but joy. His music was loud, echoing off of the chipped walls that spanned the hallway outside of his front door. Anyone passing by knew immediately that the janitor in apartment 1108, had the Christmas spirit. 

 

He and his sister had grown up celebrating traditional Christmas; Christmas carols, presents, green trees and all. As Jihyo’s solo continued to play, he notched the volume up even louder. The clarity and precision in her performance was extraordinary. With a little time and perspective, Jeongguk had learned to appreciate the brilliance in his sister’s solo concerts. The mellifluous tone that she pulled from her instrument was genius. She often mimicked his technique in her never ending quest to be the better performer. He realized, far too late, that she actually was more talented than him. He planned to admit that during their next conversation. Why the world of classical music had blessed him with the title of Maestro was never clear.  She was the true Maestra of the family. Jihyo’s next visit was only a few days away and he planned to demand a personal concert where she would play all of his Christmas favorites . He looked so forward to it.

The time was 6:59pm. In anticipation of the phone call, he picked up his phone and held it. As per usual, she dialed him right at 7:00pm.

“Dr. Yuri. It’s a week before Christmas, do you ever take vacation,” Jeongguk answered.

“Hello Jeongguk! You sound…different…happy. Don’t tell me the Christmas spirit has enraptured you?” Dr. Yuri was pleased with the tone in Jeongguk’s voice.

“It has indeed. I don’t know. Some days I just wake up and…well it doesn’t hurt anymore. I still feel scared sometimes, but more and more, I don’t know what I’m scared of.”

“That is a very good sign. I want to thank you for committing to coming back to therapy over these last few months. I can see your improvement. And…how are things with your social life? I think you said his name was Jimin?”

“Dr. Yuri. I told you that in confidence. You aren’t supposed to use it against me,” Jeongguk teased.

Dr. Yuri laughed, “I’m only trying to keep you on track. Ever since you found your new friend, you seem happier, more grounded. You confided in me several times that you have deep feelings for him. In fact during our last session you said he made you excited about life again. I don’t know the full nature of your relationship and far be it from me to pry. But, studies have shown that healthy sexual interaction as part of a caring relationship is important to emotional well being. Over 90% of patients with post traumatic disorder avoid relapse when engaged with a committed sexual partner. And I would like for your emotional well being to be quite satisfying.

“Did you just tell me to go fuck somebody?” Jeongguk stared through the window at the brick wall. He held his laughter.

“You are twisting my words.”

“Nah, I don’t think so. Hmm, the last time I told you that I was going to find someone in the bar to fuck you got all pissy.”

“Because ‘fucking’ total strangers as an outlet for emotional distress is never a good idea. But your Jimin seems to land in a different category. Again, I’m not prying. I’m just stating statistics.”

“Dr. Yuri, Jimin and I have never gone there. And I’m not sure we ever will. I don’t exactly know how he feels about us yet.” Jeongguk blushed. He still couldn’t get over the fact that his doctor was trying to facilitate a hook up with Jimin. “And if I’m being honest, it’s been so long that I don’t even remember where to use it…or how.”

“My dear Jeongguk. I’m sure you’ll remember everything when the right person comes along. Your grandmother wanted you to live life to the fullest. Sex is a part of it. Love is a part of it. Christmas is a part of it.”

“Why do you call me every single week? I’m not your problem anymore,” Jeongguk said with gratitude. 

“Nonsense. You’re still my patient. We still have therapy appointments. But I will admit, these calls every Friday are a bit more personal. I’m not just your therapist, Jeongguk. I’m also a fan. I’m a fan who misses your music. Misses your concerts. Misses the way your music made me feel. You are my favorite artist and I want to see you well not just for your sake, but for my own. My musical heart misses you. I long for the day when you will lead the Seoul Symphonic Orchestra once again with your talent.”

“Total conflict of interest. I’m reporting you to the board of crazy-people doctors,” Jeongguk laughed so hard that he fell against the wall.

“Ha-ha-ha, very funny.” Dr. Yuri wrapped up the call with her last few words of praise, “I’m proud of you. When I first met you, I had no idea how this was going to end. I feared for you. To see you come this far…is incredible.” She placed her hand over the phone so that Jeongguk couldn’t hear her begin to cry, “Everything you’re doing is perfect. Stay the course and don’t change a thing. I have to skip our appointment next week because I’ll finally be taking a vacation. But I’ll see you again in two weeks. Be well - Maestro.”

There was a knock at the door. “Dr. Yuri, someone is at the door. Have a great vacation. I’ll be fine while you’re away. I’ll just keep on healing. Bye,” Jeongguk rushed her off of the phone so that he could answer the door. 

“JIMIN!” He rocked back on his feet when he swung the door open and saw Jimin standing there. 

“Oh thank GOD, I have the right apartment. I was so scared that I was in the wrong place. I had your address memorized, but my memory is absolute shit. I was in the neighborhood and I thought I would drop by and bring you this.” Jimin shoved an ornately wrapped gift into Jeongguk’s face. The box was so close that the bow tickled his nose. 

Jeongguk’s eyes bulged. He checked around his apartment to make sure it was decent before inviting him in. “This is a surprise. You should have called. My place is a wreck. Plus, I’m a little embarrassed for you to see where I live.”

“Your place is adorable. What is this music? It’s absolutely fantastic. Let me guess, more cello?” Jimin barged in, “I used to live in the building across the street. These places are old, but they’re clean, well maintained and safe. Nothing to be ashamed of.” Jimin reached into his coat pocket and produced a bottle. He danced a little salsa with the bottle in his hand, “And I’ve also got wine. I’m off tomorrow so I thought we could hang out. Plus I’m dying to know how your session went today. You left before I could ask you anything about it.” He pulled off his coat and scarf, dusted off the snow and threw them on the couch before heading into Jeongguk’s kitchen to search for wine glasses. 

“Top shelf,” Jeongguk smiled. His day that was already great had suddenly become even better. 

Jimin slammed the kitchen shelves as he secured two wine glasses. He talked a mile a minute. He was obviously in a good mood as well. “Your tree is so fucking cute, I can’t stand it. Did I tell you I was going to visit my sister? I finally have some time off. I haven’t seen my nephew in like two fucking years. I bet he’s taller than me now.” Jimin rushed over with a glass full of wine and handed it to Jeongguk. He collapsed on the couch with a large bright smile that looked like a row of diamonds. His man spread covered a third of the couch as he sat back and rustled his thick blonde hair. “It’s a merlot,” he said as he urged Jeongguk to take a sip.

Jeongguk’s heart did several things at once. Beating was not one of them. He realized at that moment that Jimin owned him. There was not a single thing that he could ask for that Jeongguk wouldn’t move heaven and earth to give to him. He was beguiled in the worst way and it all tracked back to the very first day he ever met him. As a man accustomed to silence, it didn’t occur to him to speak. He was perfectly happy to stare greedily at all of the features he found so alluring about Park Jimin. Suddenly he felt the rim of the glass clink against his teeth. He soon realized that Jimin was pushing the glass up to his mouth trying to get him to drink.

“Hey, what the…?”

“Taste it. I’m dying to know what you think. You have great taste in wine. Did I do ok?” Jimin asked eagerly. He couldn’t seem to stop smiling. 

“Calm down before you choke me,” Jeongguk lifted the glass to his lips and took a sip. “This is very nice. You did great. I like it.”

“Good because I have two more bottles stashed in my coat pockets,” Jimin cracked up.

“You’re a handful. So full of life.”

“I am. Always have been. My mother used to tell me that almost everyday.”

“Your mother? I would love to meet her some day.” Jeongguk settled next to Jimin, not too close, not too far away.

“Well that’s a conversation we’ve never had, huh?”

“What do you mean?”

“My mother is dead. She died a very painful death. She suffered greatly. It was the worst time of my life. I started drinking, even did some drugs…anything to numb the pain.”

“Jimin, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know. How long ago was it?”

“It’s been about eleven years now. That’s one of the reasons I was hired at Second Chances because Si-Hyuk wanted me to share my pain with others. In his mind sharing my pain could help heal it. Even though it had been years since she died, there was truth to his theory. Keeping the pain inside, locked away, was destroying me from the inside. But even after I thought I was healed, I reached a new level of acceptance through my work with my clients. Especially you. I think working with you has been the most therapeutic experience of my lifetime. I’m so happy that Nara chose me.”

“And she very deliberately chose you. I read it in her old journals. She felt you were very special. I think she knew that I could never resist a man as beautiful as you coming to treat me everyday,” Jeongguk joked.

“You tease, but what you’re saying has an element of truth. Nara picked me because I was pretty. Just like all the other clients who pick me because of my looks. Your grandmother was no different.”

“Mingyu is hot as fuck. And he’s more her type. If she just wanted pretty, she would have picked him. It wasn’t just your looks. She had great instincts and she knew that you were the one that she needed to facilitate my miracle.” Jeongguk stared down into his hands. 

“Do you want to open your gift?”

“No. Christmas is still a week away. I’ll open it then.”

“You’re no fun.”

“I’m loads of fun. But Christmas means something to me. You’re my only friend - well the only friend that I’ve let back into my life. I want to have something to open on Christmas day from someone I care about. I have no family, so that means - you. Enough of that. Tell me more about your nephew and your sister.”

“She’s an attorney. A really good one. For a while there, I thought I was going to have to hire her to get out of trouble for the kidnapping. But somehow, Si-Hyuk made that all go away.”

“Did he really? I mean…do you trust him?”

“Of course I do. Mingyu and I have had our disagreements, but Si-Hyuk has always been very gracious to me. I kind of think of him as a father figure. I never really knew my dad. I was a toddler when he left us. He’s out there somewhere roaming the earth. We have no relationship whatsoever and he could have another family for all I know. To be honest though, I miss not having a dad. I think that’s why losing mom was so painful. For all of my life, she was both parents.” Jimin sipped his wine and somehow found his knee bumping against Jeongguk’s. “My sister has been married for about five years and my little nephew is three. They live in Busan, on the coast. I’m looking forward to spending time with them and just relaxing. We don’t really celebrate Christmas, but we do like to spend our vacations together during this time of year.”

“Your family sounds lovely. You and your nephew are very close. Do you want kids?”

“A gay man in Korea? Can’t say that kids are at the top of my list of wants. I love them and I would love to have them. But I’m not sure I want to go through the hell it would take to have one of my own.”

“You could adopt. Or use a surrogate. Or find a beard who could birth one for ya’,” Jeongguk winked.

“That all sounds very complicated. I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. I’m more focused on falling in love. Finding someone that I can spend the rest of my life with. That’s the fairytale that I want the most,” Jimin said honestly. “What about you? Do you date much or did you date in the past before you know…?”

“Before I went bat shit crazy? Yes. I dated alot. Noooo let me rephrase that. I fucked alot. I never really had time for a serious relationship. Being the ‘Maestro’ had its definite perks. Dick was thrown at me every damn day. Once the word got out that I was gay, I had cello groupies lining up outside of my hotels trying to fuck me.”

Maybe it was the wine, but Jimin fell to the floor roaring with laughter. “Did you say cello groupies?”

“Yes.”

“That’s not even a thing!”

“Oh, it’s a thing!” Jeongguk insisted. Watching Jimin laugh made him laugh.

“That cannot be a thing. A cello groupie?” Jimin was now holding his stomach rolling over Jeongguk’s hardwood floor.

“You just don’t understand. Freaks love nerds. For a while there, I was the hottest musician in the world. I was an Idol. Everybody wanted a piece of me. Since highschool, I’ve had men crawling all over me and I loved every minute of it.  Oh God, the shit that I learned how to do is insane. But as I got older, I kind of got tired of the revolving door. I started looking for something a little more…,”

“Meaningful?” Jimin suggested.

“Yea, that’s the right word. And you? I’m sure you had men bursting your door down as well.”

Jimin spoke his truth, “I was careless when I was younger. My mom died just as I was becoming sexually active and that fucked me up in so many ways. My daddy issues played a role in the kind of men I chose. I only dated older guys. Most of them treated me like a twink and tried to lure me with money. I’ve always had a hard time financially, until recently. I built up this false narrative that money could cure everything, even my depression over my dad abandoning his family. Only now am I learning that it can’t. So yes, I was out there. Had my fun. But just like you, I grew up and now I want something real.” Since they were being honest and Jimin was slightly intoxicated, he figured he had nothing to lose by asking Jeongguk a question that had plagued him for a very long time. “Stop me if you’re not comfortable talking about this. But I noticed that you just referred to yourself as Maestro. Three months ago, you almost jumped out of your skin simply because I mentioned the name. What’s changed?”

Jeongguk bit his lip, “It’s called healing, I guess. You can never understand what Second Chances has done for me. I can now face those dark days with courage and companionship. I’m not afraid anymore. I’ve learned to embrace the days of the past instead of running from them.”

Jimin didn’t want to probe too much. He was uneasy with the fact that Jeongguk attributed all of his healing to Second Chances and none of it to his therapy with Dr. Yuri. It made Jimin worry. He replayed the night that Mrs. Lim had freaked out once her sessions ended. With Jeongguk only having a year and some months left on his tier three, Jimin worried about how he was going to react when he had to leave. More and more he understood why Mingyu implored him to find more of Jeongguk’s money that could be used to keep the sessions going. 

Jimin laughed uncomfortably, “Don’t forget about Dr. Yuri. She’s a big part of this too. She’s probably the biggest part. Give her credit too,” he tried to convince Jeongguk to focus more on his therapy.

“Speaking of Dr. Yuri. She and I talked a couple of hours ago, just before you arrived. Guess what she said.”

“I have no idea. I mean I could guess. Um, did it involve Smurfs and some type of erotic blue conversion therapy?” Jimin gave the most ridiculous answer he could think of.

“I-I don’t even know what you just said.”

“I’m drunk. Carry on. What did she say?”

Jeongguk scooted closer to Jimin. He drank down the last bit of his wine and pondered if he should actually say it. He was drunk too so he did, “She said that 90% of patients suffering from post traumatic stress disorder avoid relapse if they find a really good person to fuck. Oh and she suggested, you.”

“What?” Jimin jumped, spilling his wine all over his very expensive Saint Laurent Denim shirt. Some of it even puddled on his new Rolex watch. “Fuck. I mean shit. I mean what kind of therapist…I need to fuck, I mean I need to wash, I mean I need to wash up…I need to get this wine off of my…may I use your bathroom?”

Jeongguk rolled to his side laughing, “Sure. It’s right through there, on the left.”

Jimin hustled from the room without acknowledging anything that Jeongguk had just told him. To get to the bathroom, he had to travel through Jeongguk’s bedroom. He avoided looking at the bed or anything else that would put more wild thoughts in his head. However intrigued he was about how it would feel to fuck the Maestro, he would not partake. He knew better than to head down that path. He’d already been warned by Mingyu that his close relationship with Jeongguk was treading on dangerous ground. He could feel himself become aroused. Just the thought did wild things to his brain. He found a towel on the shelf, dampened it and then swiped at the red stain on his shirt. 

Jeongguk suddenly appeared behind him. “A little club soda. If you…um…take it off I can work on it for you. I’m a janitor, I’m kind of good at getting rid of stains,” he shrugged.

“Yea, sure.” Jimin removed his shirt and gave it to Jeongguk. He had nothing underneath which only added to the fiddly circumstances. He placed his palms over his nipples as he watched Jeongguk work on the wine stain. 

“I apologize. I didn’t mean to rattle you. I thought it was funny that a professional would suggest fucking as a cure to PTSD. But if it makes you feel better, she was just speaking it haphazardly. I’ve told her repeatedly how much you mean to me and how important you are in my life. She knows that I care for you. I think she was just thinking that maybe we were close enough to take that step. Of course she doesn’t know the intimate details of our relationship. So don’t worry. She was just pulling a suggestion out of her ass. I’m sorry. We’re good, right? I didn’t scare you?” Jeongguk stood in front of the mirror as he doused the red stain with the club soda. 

Jimin stood behind him, watching him through the mirror; tracing his every movement with his eyes. He could feel his nipples begin to harden beneath his palms. It took several minutes for him to realize that he was chilly, not horny, or maybe both? “Is it just me or is it cold in here?”

“It’s cold. Intentionally so.”

“It’s snowing outside. Do you have the air conditioning on?”

“Just to control the humidity. I have to keep it consistent. Most of the time the air doesn’t kick in because it’s cold outside. But every now and again, it comes on. Again, for consistency to protect the wood.”

“The wood?” Jimin was perplexed. He looked at the floor beneath his feet. It was made of ratty old wood that was long past the need for protection. 

“No. Not the floor. Can I get you another glass of wine since you used yours to decorate your shirt?” Jeongguk wrapped a blanket around Jimin to cover his bare chest.

“Thanks. No more wine. I think I’ve had enough for the evening.”

“No you haven’t. But we’ll talk about that later.” Jeongguk flashed a smile. 

It was so genuine and pure and…sexy? Was he actually sexy? Jimin argued with himself. Finding a client sexy was out of line. But this client was so fucking sexy. Was it the wine or his dick that stirred such wild thoughts?

“How are you coming with my shirt? It’s getting late and I should probably go. I’ve been here almost four hours.” Jimin knew it was time to get out of there. 

He was flustered and it happened so fast that he never saw it coming. He was attracted to this dark haired, big dimpled, taut chested, doe eyed man and it was becoming a problem.

“Not yet. Close.”

Jimin held the blanket over his bare chest and flopped down on the toilet. He sat there with his head in his hands as he waited. He didn’t even know where to rest his eyes. He wanted to gaze mindlessly at Jeongguk’s body, but that didn’t seem like the smart choice. So he stared at the floral print wallpaper that was poorly hung throughout the small bathroom. 

“Done yet?”

“As I told you three seconds ago, not quite yet.” Jeongguk laughed. He could sense that Jimin was still reeling about the therapist suggesting they have sex. Another few tense moments passed before Jeongguk finally finished. “Ok. This is as good as I can get it. You’ll have to have it professionally cleaned to get it all out, but at least we saved the shirt. It’s very expensive, I used to have one just like it.”

“Thanks.” Jimin quickly slipped back into the shirt. It was very cold in that part of the house. “What are you a Vampire? How do you sleep in such chilly conditions?”

“I have heated blankets. It’s not so bad. I actually sleep quite well.”

“Yea, well I better get going. It’s late and I’ve taken enough of your time.” Jimin fled the bathroom. 

Being stuck in there, so close to the tantalizing smell of cherry blossoms, was more than he could stand. But as he walked back through Jeongguk’s room he noticed a stunning instrument sitting near his closet. It was propped on a stand. Not a speck of dust fell upon it as it shined like a black onyx in the corner. His breath hitched. 

“What is that?” He stood frozen in place as he admired the beautiful artifact.

Jeongguk smiled proudly, “That is quite possibly the most important thing in my life. It’s Jihyo’s cello. It was given to her by Grandma Nara when Jihyo was just a little girl.”

Jimin fell onto Jeongguk’s bed. It was mostly from shock. Never, in almost two years of knowing him, had Jeongguk ever said Jihyo’s name. It was forbidden to mention at any time outside of the private sessions he held at Second Chances. He didn’t know which choked him more, the fact that Jeongguk openly said her name or the fact that he still held her cello in his room.

“This is the wood that you’re protecting?”

“Yes. I thought you knew. This cello has great value. It’s a Stradivarius from the 1800’s. She played it brilliantly. I’ve never really touched it. But I do keep it in good order. Changing the strings, polishing the wood, tempering it…that sort of thing.”

Jimin’s head swam. He had one desire and one desire only; to hear Jeongguk play. Maybe if he hadn’t been drunk he would have suppressed the words and never said them aloud. But as it were, he blurted it out, “Please play for me. I’ve never heard you play. I know it’s wrong to ask, but Jeongguk please.”

He covered his face with his hands, afraid to witness the terror that he had just unleashed. Asking Jeongguk to play his sister’s cello was insane. Especially since she was so closely related to his trauma. But he stood by his request. In his heart, he knew that Jeongguk was strong enough to do it. He wondered if it might even help him.

Jeongguk stared at Jimin as if he had asked him to climb to the moon. He had never in a million years considered touching Jihyo’s cello. He had never in a million years considered playing again. It was just too painful, too much for his weak mind to process. Yet, Jimin wanted it. Never had he asked him for anything except - this.

“I-I don’t know if I can even play. It’s been a very long…,”

“You can. You can do anything. I believe in you. I always have. You’re safe with me. Baby, please?”

 

Too much thought would have certainly ended in him losing his courage. So he didn’t think. If Jimin wanted him to share his greatest talent, then that was what he was going to do. He released the bow from its case and slowly massaged rosin into the pure horse hairs from the ferrule to the tip plate, and back again several times. 

Jeongguk found a chair and sat behind the cello. He tilted the instrument forward slightly to examine the rear wood. With a light pluck across the bridge, he tested the tautness of the strings before tickling each of them to see if they were in tune. Of course they were in tune because he tuned it everyday. Still, he twisted the pegs of each string faintly until he reached the desired pitch for each key. The long slim fingers that Jimin so admired wrapped around the neck of the cello. His fingers never lined up, they just rested there until his mind told them to move.

His eyes darkened slightly before sliding closed. It was as if his body could feel the dark mood of the song before he ever began to play it. The first note was so deeply jarring, that Jimin’s mouth fell open and his hands began to shake. He could feel the sadness collect in his chest as his darkest thoughts raced through his head. The second note was just as devastating. And then the third and then the fourth and then the double stop where he played multiple notes at once for several seconds. 

Jeongguk’s trauma was voided from his soul through the notes that were lifted from his instrument. So much hurt was manifested. There was no need for him to speak because his cello did it for him.

Jimin felt as if he were being told a heartbreaking story. He could feel it like a physical force pushing through his body. Every emotion that Jeongguk was trying to convey settled inside of Jimin’s soul as it flowed through him like life’s blood. Thoughts of his own mother came to mind and that’s when the tears started to flow. Never in his life had he been so moved, so shaken. It was as if he had finally been given permission to release a lifetime of grief. He didn’t know if Jeongguk was playing something composed by someone else or if he was playing one of the many songs that he had composed during his self-isolation. Whatever its origins, it was haunting and beautiful. The song called, Desfaure only lasted two minutes. Two minutes. But it changed Jimin’s life forever. 

Once he was done, Jeongguk opened his eyes only to find Jimin sitting on the side of the bed weeping with heavy sobs. He carefully placed the priceless Stradivarius on the stand and then rushed to Jimin’s side. 

“That maybe wasn’t such a good idea. I never meant to make you cry. Tell me what’s going on. What are you thinking? How did that make you feel?” Jeongguk inquired and he attempted to understand why Jimin was so upset. 

“She left me too soon. I have no one. I have no mother, I have no father. My sister has her own family and she doesn’t need me. I’m all alone in this world and I don’t think I’m ready to face a lifetime alone.

“No one said you had to be alone.” If there was anything that Jeongguk’s grandmother had taught him, it was to listen to his instincts. And his instincts told him Jimin needed to be comforted. He pulled him into his arms and held him tightly against his body. He felt Jimin’s chest quiver with sobs. “I know it’s not much, but you have me now.”

Jimin pulled away, but instead of Jeongguk’s eyes meeting his, they sat idle, focused on the  unbuttoned denim shirt that bordered his bare chest. 

“I feel so dumb. I didn’t mean to fall apart. Your music, your talent, it’s otherworldly. I feel like God just spoke to me.” Jimin wiped his tears and tried to stabilize his emotions. 

Jeongguk’s eyes slowly crept into focus, landing on Jimin’s face. Locking eyes with the Maestro was a rare event. The trauma of his past didn’t allow for that type of connection very often.  Jimin found himself closing the distance and moving forward as if an invisible hand was pushing him from behind. His fingers found the silken strands of Jeongguk’s hair as he continued to approach his mouth. His lips hovered teasingly over the lips of the younger before pressing against them softly.

Jeongguk’s fingers curled around Jimin’s open shirt, pulling him nearer. The kiss deepened, slow and searching, tongues grazed with quiet intensity. His hand slid to Jimin’s neck, thumb tracing his jaw. Their breaths mingled, hearts raced, as the kiss grew hungrier and more desperate. Both of their minds emptied, with their actions being governed by the months and months of oppressed feelings that suddenly exploded. Jeongguk found himself pushing Jimin against the bed, refusing to abandon their kiss as he settled him on his back.

Jimin could feel the soft presence of pillows as the heavy body on top of him pushed him hard into the mattress. Their kiss continued, still guided by emotions. Jeongguk pulled away, his eyes full of consolation. They parted, foreheads resting together, lips still stinging from the electrical kiss they shared. There was more that Jeongguk wanted to give him. Jimin could see it in his expression. His limbs went limp as he felt Jeongguk begin to slide down his body. He relaxed with deep soothing breaths as he felt his pants being unbuckled and unzipped.

In the dimly lit room, Jeongguk knelt before him, his breath warm and teasing. His fingers traced Jimin’s thighs, building anticipation as he shimmied Jimin’s expensive slacks down to his knees, exposing a fiercely rigid cock. He leaned in, lips brushing softly at first, then parting to take him in. He opened his mouth wide to push Jimin’s cock towards the back of his throat. His tongue swirled with deliberate precision, exploring every inch, alternating between slow, deep movements and quick, playful flicks. His hands worked in rhythm, gripping firmly yet tenderly. 

Jimin’s soft moans fueled his pace. The intensity built, his technique was flawless. The sounds of slurping coupled with the warm saliva that dripped down his shaft, caused Jimin to shudder. The skin of his cock stretched and pulled, with Jeongguk’s powerful jaws massaging the engorged veins that ran down the middle of his shaft. The hands that had only lightly guided the back of Jeongguk’s head suddenly became tangled in his hair as Jimin thrust his hips and plunged his dick deeper into the younger’s mouth. 

Overwhelmed by the crescendo of pleasure, he was lost in the ecstasy of the moment. He gave one final thrust that settled hard in the back of Jeongguk’s throat. Holding his head in place and not allowing him to move, he screamed as his tip exploded, coating the back of Jeongguk’s mouth with his warm milky cum.  His legs trembled as his back arched. He wanted to cry all over again as his body emptied into the warm comforting abyss of Jeongguk’s mouth. It had been so long since anyone sucked his fucking dick.

Jimin’s eyes popped open as soon as the sensation passed. The popcorn plaster on the ceiling was all he could see as his body relaxed once again. The soft touch of Jeongguk’s perfect lips kissed up and down his thighs as he sweetly pulled Jimin’s pants back over his cock. Jimin blinked several times, unsure if he was dreaming. 

“Did that just happen?” He whispered.

“I’m awkward and I don’t always have the right words…so…,” Jeongguk wiped his mouth and furrowed his brow. Within seconds, he was back on top of Jimin again, kissing his cheek and forehead. “You were so upset. I just…wanted to make you feel better. I know how it feels to be overwhelmed by grief. Sometimes you just need a distraction, someone to comfort you and pull you out of your own head.”

“Well that certainly did it. I’ve never been so distracted in my life.” Jimin laughed. His breath swept across Jeongguk’s lips as they held their faces centimeters apart. “Is that one of the tricks you learned from the cello groupies,” Jimin laughed again.

“I give really good head. And, yea, I probably did learn it from one of the rando cello groupies.”

“Thank you. Not for sucking my dick…I mean thank you for that too…because that shit was incredible. But I mean for touching me with your music, agreeing to play for me. Providing a moment of comfort. I don’t know why I was so emotional.”

“Because you’ve been through some rough shit. Grief is…,” Jeongguk had trouble completing his sentence. He took several moments, “Grief is the price we pay for love. It changes shape, but it never ends because the love never ends.”

Jimin thought Jeongguk’s statement was profound, “Is that why ten years later, your music drove me to shed more tears over my mother?”

“I’ve made many people cry over the years. There’s nothing wrong about what happened. Sometimes you just need to get those feelings out.”

“It’s almost 3am. I really should go. I’m sure you have a full day tomorrow and I don’t want to impose.” Jimin shimmied from beneath Jeongguk’s body. His underwear was wet and so were his pants. He didn’t know if it was cum or saliva, but it didn’t matter. He was still a bit stunned that it even happened. Suddenly he began to chuckle.

“What’s so funny.” Jeongguk asked.

“Did you swallow?”

“All of it.”

“You’re kind of kinky aren’t you?”

“You have no idea just how kinky…,” There was a demure and impish smirk on his face as he wiped his lips once again. His mind switched to keeping Jimin with him for as long as possible,“Do you really have to leave? Can’t you spend the night? I’ll sleep on the couch and you can have my bed. Sheets are clean, pillows smell like my cherry blossom fabric softener. It’s so late. You may as well crash here.”

“It does smell really, really good in here,” Jimin was highly attracted to the hint of cherry blossom that always seemed to shadow Jeongguk like an aura. “But…I don’t want to impose.”

Jeongguk grabbed Jimin’s arm and gently kissed the palm of his hand, “Don’t. Go.”

Jimin’s knees buckled. The first time that he ever heard Jeongguk speak, he said those exact same words. “You’re not playing fair.”

“I mean it. Stay. I won’t push you to do anything you’re not comfortable with. Like I said, I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“No. I’ll sleep on the couch because it’s freezing in here,” Jimin joked. He hesitated before giving a serious answer. His mind twirled around the thought of what Si-Hyuk would say if he ever found out what was happening between him and the client. As he thought about his decision, he glanced again at the beautiful black cello in the corner. Maybe, if he played his cards right, he could convince Jeongguk to serenade him with another song, and possibly another blow job as well. “Ok, I’ll stay. But only if I can grab a shower and borrow some pajamas.”

 

The tattered tweed couch became Jimin’s bed for the evening. He tossed and turned, unable to shake the image of Jeongguk sucking his cock. All of it was so sudden and unexpected. He wondered if maybe he should have stopped things from going so far. In an instant they had become intimate, leaping and bounding over first kisses, holding hands, and long romantic walks in the park. Fucking a client’s mouth was as raunchy as things could get. Yet, he didn’t regret it. Jeongguk was right when he said that Jimin needed to be comforted. And intensely comforted was exactly how Jimin felt. He wondered - if someone had been around to suck Jeongguk’s dick when he was going through his mental spiral, maybe he wouldn’t have ended up in a mental institution.  He laughed and tossed one more time. He found himself laying on his back, staring again at the popcorn ceiling that spanned the entire apartment. His eyes closed. And just when he thought sleep would overtake him, an incredible idea popped into his head. 

Kicking and flailing, he worked himself free of the stack of blankets. Barefoot, he sprinted into Jeongguk’s room and crawled on the floor until he reached the head of Jeongguk’s bed.

“Jeongguk. Jeongguk,” he whispered over the man who looked like a sleeping angel. Jimin immediately wished that he had his phone to capture a picture but he didn’t. He studied his sleeping face for a few moments in an attempt to commit it to memory for a sketch.  The dark-haired Cellist was ethereal in his sleeping beauty; until he rolled on his back and began to snore. But the enamored Jimin even thought that was cute. He called him again, “Jeongguk, wake up. I have something to tell you. Wake up.” He rested his hands on Jeongguk’s chest with the intention of tapping him briefly. But his fingertips accidentally fell over Jeongguk’s erect nipple and then slid down the mound that was his muscular bosom. That’s when Jimin realized that Jeongguk wasn’t wearing a shirt, despite the freezing temperatures in the room. Jimin gently lifted the blanket to admire more of his naked chest. 

Jeongguk suddenly shifted again, working himself away from the blankets. He had pushed the blankets askew, revealing the right side of his body - which was completely nude. A glow of pale skin led all the way down to a patch of dark hairs with a rather substantial cock, wilted and resting atop of two plump balls. 

Jimin could only see a partial view because the blankets still covered the left side of Jeongguk’s body, but from what he could see, the Maestro’s physique was fucking spectacular and his dick was deliciously edible. He could feel himself salivating. The most vile and pornographic thoughts possible danced in his head.

“No wonder you had fucking cello groupies. You’re fucking hot,” Jimin whispered.

“Huh?” Jeongguk stirred. He turned towards Jimin, pulling his blankets with him as he squeezed into a ball. He was shivering. His eyes opened wide, “This is the same dream that I have almost every night. But why are you on the floor this time? Is this the part where you climb on top of me?”

“What are you talking about?” Jimin giggled. “Wake up. No one is climbing on top of anybody. I have a question to ask you. It’s very important.”

Jeongguk soon realized that he wasn’t dreaming. Jimin was actually there. “Fuck. I think I may have said something that I wasn’t supposed to.”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear it. Sit up. I need you to be fully awake,” Jimin looked away from Jeongguk’s incredible body.

“Why are you in my room and what was so urgent that it couldn’t wait until morning?”

“You can come with me!”

“With you…where?”

“To my sister’s house. You’re from Busan. You probably haven’t been there in years. It’s better than you being here alone. Plus I would love to spend the holiday with you. We can even pack your tree and take it with us. Say you’ll come. Say you’ll come with me to visit my sister.” Jimin’s eyes were wide with excitement.

“I don’t even know them. And they don’t know me.” Jeongguk shrugged.

“They know quite a bit about you. Not everything, of course. But that’s why they should meet you. You’re one of my best friends and you’re very important in my life. My sister would love to get to know you better. Plus, the therapist wants you to be social. What can be more social than this ?” Jimin stood to his feet and did a salsa dance around Jeongguk’s bedroom. 

“I don’t know about this Jimin. It seems sudden. And a bit aggressive.”

“No - sucking my dick because I was crying over my dead mother was a bit aggressive. This is just friends doing things that friends do. Neither of us want to be alone. You said it yourself, you said that I have you now and that I don’t have to be alone. Please say you’ll come.”

“Well, when are you leaving?”

“In two days. We can take the train together and view the countryside.”

“I-I have to work. And I have another session with Second Chances. I can’t miss either of those things,” Jeongguk said sadly.

“You don’t have any time off?”

“I-I guess I could take a few days off closer to Christmas.” Jeongguk pondered. He was starting to like Jimin’s idea. 

“PERFECT!” Jimin jumped up and down. “I’ll head there first and spend some bonding time with the family. You can finish up things here and then join me. I’m staying for a full week. Even if you come a couple of days later, we can still spend five full days together. We can go for walks on the beach and dig for oysters and seaweed at Cheongsapo. You’re not allergic to shellfish are you?”

“Of course not! That would be blasphemy,” Jeongguk teased.  “Jimin, are you sure about this? Are you really committed to spending this much time with me… and well…what about my history?”

“What about it?”

“Does your family know that I spent time in a mental institution?”

Jimin sat on the edge of Jeongguk’s bed. He caressed his back gently, trying to coax him out of the timid ball he had rolled into. “None of that matters. You are present, you are in a good space, you are healthy, you are healing, and you are the brightest light the world has ever seen. Those are the only things that will matter to my family.” 

“Then I guess my answer is yes.”

***

Chapter Index

Chapter Five: A Matter of Perspective

🌿15,319k
🌿Graphic Sexual Content 
🌿Meet Hayoon - Jimin's sister
🌿They kinda won't stop fucking
🌿NSFW 21+
🌿Conflict/Anger/Disagreement & a sad Christmas tree

💫Author's Favorite: The way things develop between them may seem sporatic. But Jimin fell along time ago, and we're just now learning that even though Jeongguk wasn't capable of expressing it, he fell just as hard - a long time ago. Also, this is going to be the first time that you're really faced with the moral delema that is Second Chances. Whose side are you on? Just chills with this chapter. I hope you love it. I really hope you love it. I love you for being here. Blessings

__________________________

December 21st -the start of Jimin’s vacation

 

Jimin salsa danced all over the office of Second Chances. Nothing could dampen his excitement or spoil his mood. Jeongguk was coming home with him for the holidays and it felt like a dream come true. His sister, Hayoon, was so excited that she purchased all new furniture to make a good impression. Jimin knew that she really just wanted an excuse to buy new furniture. But he was happy that Jeongguk was the reason she chose.

He had a full day of clients as he tried to fit in all of his final appointments before leaving. 

“Hobi!” Jimin called his coworker as he entered through the rear door to start his shift. “Do you have everything you need to handle Jeongguk’s session while I’m out tomorrow? His new stimuli is already programmed, his histogram is loaded and the items that he requested are stored in the room. PROD 13. That’s his favorite. I already have it reserved. Please don’t be late getting him started. Promptness means a great deal to him. This is a very important session, so I suspect it will be emotional and very joyous.

“Yea, yea. How many times are we going to go over this same information? I told you - I got it. Honestly, I’m surprised you let anybody else touch him. You’re pretty possessive when it comes to that particular client,” Hobi teased. 

“I’m not possessive. I’m his consultant. I take my responsibility seriously. And the only reason you’re standing in for me is because I promised my sister that I would be there for her husband’s birthday. So I can’t postpone my trip, not even one day. Even though…,”

“Even though it’s killing you to not be here and control the sessions yourself. Better be careful there Jiminie…your heart is showing.”

“My…what are you even talking about?”

“It’s not a secret. We’ve all seen the sketches that you used to keep in the drawer. He’s a beautiful man, but off limits,” Hobi warned.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Jimin turned his back and headed towards PROD 12. 

He had a couple who were attending their first session together. There was a long list of items that needed to be done before they arrived. On his way to prep PROD 12, he saw Si-Hyuk and Mingyu huddled inside of Si-Hyuk’s office. Mingyu didn’t look happy and the moment seemed tense, as if maybe the two had been arguing. Jimin glided by the room without looking in, hoping that the two wouldn’t notice him.

“Jimin, could you come in here for a minute?” Si-Hyuk called to him.

Jimin balled his fists with irritation. The last thing he had time to do was gossip and chatter about nothing. He had too much work to do. But rather than be subordinate, he marched into the office with a smile. “Yes. You needed to see me?”

“Close the door, please,” Si-Hyuk requested.

“Uh, sure.” Jimin closed the door but continued to stand close to it. His two bosses were giving off bad vibes. Whatever was going on between them, he wanted no part of it.  “Is there something I can do for you? I have a full schedule to get through before my vacation starts tomorrow.

“This won’t take long. We have some uh…very exciting news,” Si-Hyuk elbowed Mingyu in the ribs.

He snapped to attention, “Uh, yes. As father says, we have some great news. It’s about Jeongguk.”

They immediately had Jimin’s full attention. “What about Jeongguk?”

Si-Hyuk steepled his fingers, “Time flies when you’re having fun. Jimin, are you aware that Jeongguk only has fourteen months left on his contract? His dearly departed grandmother only had a finite amount of money. I’m afraid that unless we come up with more funds, his sessions will have to conclude.”

“I’m aware. I’m not concerned. He’s in a good mental space these days,” Jimin feigned confidence. In reality, he was just as terrified about that day as they were; the day when he would have to end Jeongguk’s sessions.

“We have a solution,” Si-Hyuk offered.

“A solution? Tell me more.” Jimin pressed his back against the closed door. Something about the energy in the room was unsettling. He braced for what he was about to hear.

“Are you aware that the Maestro has a great deal of hidden wealth? Nowhere is it listed in public record. In fact, if my son weren’t such a genius, we may have never stumbled upon this information at all.”

“He has no hidden wealth, I can assure you of that,” Jimin laughed. If they only knew about the meager apartment that Jeongguk lived in, with his second hand sofa and television from the garbage bin, they would not accuse him of being secretly rich.

“But he does. It is very well hidden…even from you,” Si-Hyuk smiled.

There was a hidden suggestion in his tone, as if he were hinting at something. “We’re friends and I am his consultant. I wouldn’t expect him to share information about his private finances. Jimin still didn’t understand where the two of them were going with the conversation. Jeongguk was poor, a janitor who made  a very humble living. He had no wealth. Jimin was sure they were mistaken and he didn’t appreciate them wasting his time. “If there’s nothing else, I have a client due here in about fifteen minutes and I haven’t prepared the PROD.”

“No, we are not finished. I’m sure your clients will understand given the importance of the information we are about to share with you,” Si-Hyuk still spoke in riddles and Jimin was tired of it.

“Please just tell me what you think you know so that I can get back to work, with all due respect.”

Si-Hyuk looked at his son. Mingyu looked as if he were about to cry. Whatever was happening, wasn’t good. He produced a piece of paper with a colorful image printed on the front. Jimin immediately recognized the almost glasslike texture of the black cello that Jeongguk had played for him a couple of nights before. His instincts told him to play dumb and not admit to knowing anything about Jihyo’s cello.

“Ok, it’s a violin or something. What does that have to do with me?” Jimin shrugged.

“You mean you don’t recognize it?” Si-Hyuk asked. Jimin could tell they were trying to determine what he actually knew.

“Nope. And I’m sure that thing doesn’t belong to Jeongguk. He’s a janitor and barely has a pot to piss in. May I go now?”

“This is a cello. It belonged to his sister. I’m sure you already knew that. But for the sake of playing your little game, we’ll pretend that you didn’t know. This cello is in Jeongguk’s possession. It was purchased by Nara at an auction in America. It’s an 18th century Stradivarius and she paid over $8 million U.S. dollars for it. That was, of course, when the old goat had money…God rest her soul. It’s worth three times that amount today. She gave it to her granddaughter as a birthday present. This was long before Maestro even began playing the cello. I’m sure if she had known that her grandson would grow up to be the more famous one, she would have given it to him instead. His sister was the first to pick up the instrument. Ironic that he’s also the one who rose to fame over her. Anyway…,”

Mingyu was tired of his dad drawing out the conversation. He just wanted to get it over with so that he could flee the room and wash the moral filth from his body, “Jeongguk inherited it. Presumably he has it someplace in his apartment. Convince him to sell it. You have more control over him than anyone else. Then he’ll have the money to advance all the way to tier seven. You’ll be rich, he’ll get to keep his sessions going and Second Chances will make a very nice profit. Everyone comes out a fucking winner.” Mingyu threw the picture down on the desk and stormed out.

“Forgive him.” Si-Hyuk frowned angrily as he watched his son flee the room like a spoiled child. 

“If Jeongguk has possession of this thing, I doubt he’s going to be willing to sell it. I don’t care who asks, he’s not going to do it. I would imagine it means a great deal to him.”

“This is an order Jimin. You don’t have an option here. Convince Jeongguk to sell the black cello for cash. Use the money to upgrade his package. You won’t regret it.” Si-Hyuk could sense Jimin’s discomfort. He added, “You don’t have to give me an answer right now. Focus on your vacation and your time with your sister. We can talk about this when you return.”

“Sure. I’ll give it some thought. But…what if I refuse to do it?” Jimin asked casually.

Si-Hyuk gave Jimin an unexpected hug as he whispered into his ear, “I wouldn’t refuse if I were you.”

***

 

Jimin stood at the edge of the dunes, his boots sinking slightly into the sand, eyes fixed on the  horizon where the grey sky blended into the sea. His hands were shoved deep into the pockets of his expensive leather jacket. The fresh sea air filled his lungs, rejuvenating him with every breath. He watched the silhouette of the city of Busan glow in the distant fog.  

His mind was filled with happy thoughts, despite the unpleasantness of the last few hours before his vacation started. The goal was to put work completely out of his mind; a difficult task considering his favorite client was due to arrive soon to vacation with him. Jimin’s heart leapt just thinking about it.

 

Hayoon’s house was a short walk from the shore. A weathered cottage painted blue, with a pristine white porch covered in potted plants and driftwood sculptures, her seaside oasis was an architectural marvel. She and her husband inherited the house after his parents died. They lived there on the peaceful shores for years, choosing the simple sea life over the city. 

Right at the moment he decided to trudge up the sandy shore towards the house, he heard a tiny delicate voice call his name. The yelps were carried out to see and drowned by thunderous clashing waves, making them barely audible. But still - he could hear it; frenetic screams of “Uncle Geeman!” 

He turned to see a stumbling three year old sprinting towards him. It was Aran, his nephew, followed closely by his father Kai, Hayoon’s husband.

Jimin turned and sprinted towards the toddler, closing the distance that Aran’s chubby little feet had to run. He flailed in slow motion to make the beach-front reunion as dramatic as possible. Kai fell back and allowed Aran to continue. He couldn’t stop laughing at the two of them. 

“Aran!”

“Uncle Geeman!”

They tackled each other as Jimin swooped the young child into his arms and twirled him around in circles. He kissed him all over his face and nibbled his little cheeks. “YOU’RE SO BIG!” He couldn’t believe how much his nephew had grown in two years. He was a completely different kid. His sun bleached dark hair was a lighter shade of brown, very different from the kids who lived in the concrete jungle of Busan. He had eyes just like Jimin, and lips that matched his too. But his cheeks and nose were strictly that of his mother Hayoon. His frame closely resembled that of his father, making him a very tall kid for his age. Jimin’s heart felt like it was going to burst. He hadn’t realized how much he’d missed his little family until he saw them again.

He could feel Hayoon’s eyes boring into the back of his neck as she watched them from the window. He knew she was already evaluating him for what she considered signs of good health; his weight, the color in his cheeks, the depth of his smile, and the blondeness of his hair. 

“Tell your mom to stop staring at me,” Jimin asked.

“Stop staring at Uncle Geeman,” Aran yelled towards the window. 

Jimin, Kai and little Aran all walked up the dune that led to the front porch of the seaside home. Hayoon met them at the door. She grabbed her little brother and covered his face in kisses just as Jimin had done to Aran. 

“You look fucking fantastic!” She clamped her hand around her mouth when she realized that she had cursed in front of her toddler son.

“What else did you expect?”

“Mommy says you’re rich now,” Aran kicked off his sand filled boots and threw his jacket on the ground. “Can we make our cookies now that Uncle Geeman is here?” He asked.

“Pick your coat up. We don’t live in a barn,” Jimin admonished him playfully.

“I love barns. Can we live in a barn? With horses named Chickoria? And chickens named Ruby. And Turtles named Euphoria?”

“That really does sound wonderful. I love horses.” Jimin helped Aran pick up his coat and boots and store them properly.

“Jimin, I have a very special dinner planned tonight for Kai’s birthday. I could use an extra hand in the kitchen. Aran, take Uncle Jimin to his room. Show him where Jeongguk is going to sleep too. Then both of you wash up and report for kitchen duty. You’ve got mincing, slicing and dicing to do. Kai, honey, get the grill started for the pork belly. It’s all seasoned and ready to go. Put on gloves, it’s cold out there.” Hayoon barked orders at her very special boys. She could barely hide her excitement. She was so happy for her entire family to be together once again. 

Aran held Jimin’s hand as he guided him to his room. They meandered through the house with a pit stop for Aran to show Jimin his new bunk bed. “I asked mom if you could share my bunk bed. She said that you were too big and that you needed your own bed.”

“That’s true. Uncle Jimin isn’t as young as he used to be. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t hang out with you during your bedtime, and maybe even read a couple of stories before you fall asleep.”

“Would you really do that for me?” Aran rolled over Jimin’s bed and kicked up his feet.

“Of course. I used to read stories to you all the time when you were a baby. Nothing has changed because that’s what uncles are for.”

Aran showed Jimin a few of his favorite new toys before resuming their journey to the guest room where Jimin would be sleeping. Jimin placed his suitcase on the dressers and looked around. The room had been redecorated since he’d last been there. There were new windows too, amplifying his view of the ocean. 

“This is very nice. I love it here.”

“Me too. I like living here with mommy and daddy. I just wish that you lived closer so we could be together all the time. You’re my favorite uncle.”

“I’m your only uncle,” Jimin clarified. 

“Your friend Jeongguk is going to sleep in the room right next to this one,” Aran led him to the room adjacent. The room had the exact same stunning view of the ocean as Jimin’s room. He knew that Jeongguk would appreciate it. The countdown to his arrival could not go fast enough. He really was looking forward to seeing him. And possibly kissing him, and possibly holding hands and possibly…

“What are you smiling about?”Aran asked.

“Smiling? Was I smiling?”

“Yep. Like someone just told you some really good news. Like that time mommy told me that I didn’t have to take a bath because we got home too late.”

“I’m excited about my friend Jeongguk coming to join us. We have some fun events planned.”

“Do you have events planned for me too?” Aran asked innocently.

“I-I-I…,” Jimin didn’t know how to answer. He had been so busy planning excursions for he and Jeongguk that he didn’t specifically plan anything for Aran. 

“We’ll make sure to plan something special for you too. Don’t worry. We’ll have loads of fun. We better get going. Those cookies are not going to bake themselves.” Jimin removed his leather jacket and shoes. He blew into his hands to warm them and then brushed them once gently through his hair. 

“And those onions are not going to dice themselves,” Aran added. He grabbed Jimin’s hand again and they headed back to the kitchen. 

 

***

After Kai’s birthday dinner and birthday cake, Jimin kept his promise and helped Aran prepare for bed. He read story after story after story with little Aran anxiously hanging on every word. Even though his parents had read him the entire series many times over, something about hearing the words read by Jimin made the stories extra special. At the point where Aran could no longer keep his eyes open, Jimin closed the final book, kissed him on the forehead and tucked him away for the night. 

As much as he enjoyed his time with Aran, Jimin looked forward to a little time to himself. He found another novel called Red Moon Rising from the same writer who had given him Bitter Peach. He was twenty chapters in and anxious to dive into the story again. He showered quickly, grabbed his book and then headed for the fireplace next to the window that overlooked the crashing waves of the ocean. It was a perfect nook for a cozy night of reading. 

But his plans were quickly hijacked by his well-meaning sister who was waiting for him when he arrived. Her arms were folded, she had a smirk on her face and her eyes were soft and round like a sympathy emoji. Jimin already knew what she wanted to talk about.

“Took you long enough. I thought you were going to read to that boy all night,” she teased. “Everything is always so fresh and new when it comes from you. He thinks you hung the moon.”

“Let me guess. You want to talk,” Jimin kissed Hayoon on the cheek and sat down next to her. 

“Damn right I want to talk. You’re bringing him here. The guy that you were once convinced was a serial killer. Things have escalated quickly and I want all of the details,” Hayoon quipped.

“You’re still ok with him coming right?” Jimin asked cautiously.

“Oh Jiminie. I’m more than ok with it. I’m absolutely ecstatic. All of us are. Kai and Aran are so excited. They worked hard putting together his room and preparing things for his visit. But…I need to know what’s really going on. You have many friends, close friends. But none of them have ever been invited to meet your family and vacation with us for a week. This one is special and I need to know why. Is there more to this little visit than you’re admitting to me?” Hayoon, always the perceptive big sister, drilled down for the truth.

“There is nothing more. I just don’t want to see him alone during a holiday that means so much to him. His mental is finally in a good place. He’s been through hell. If there’s anything I can do to help him stay healthy, then I will. He’s a client and I want to see him well. It’s called being a good person.” Jimin tried to steer her away from her ‘in-depth Jeongguk relationship analysis’, but Hayoon wasn’t falling for it.

“Just a client? Ok, let’s try this another way,” Hayoon was a criminal defense attorney. If there was anything that she knew how to do, it was cross examine a witness. “Please explain to me Mr. Park - If Mr. Jeon is just a client, then why are you keeping this very personal visit hidden from your boss? I mean if this is just normal client treatment and what all clients should expect, wouldn’t you want your boss to know that you’re doing your job? And if Mr. Jeon is just a client, then why didn’t you insist that he get a hotel? Why is he being invited to meet your family and share their domicile?” Hayoon didn’t give Jimin a chance to answer. She continued to drill him, “And if Mr. Jeon is just a client, why have I been repeatedly educated on the ‘deadly adorableness of his dimples’ during every single one of our phone calls?  And then there is this, Exhibit A,” Hayoon produced one of Jimin’s sketches that he’d been working on before dinner. “I found this on your dresser in your guest bedroom. It’s a beautiful sketch of…Mr. Jeon. So am I to assume that you draw sketches of all of your clients? Or is this skill reserved solely for Mr. Jeon? Furthermore, if Mr. Jeon is indeed just a client as you have testified to under oath, why…are your legs freshly waxed? And why are your blonde highlights freshly dyed? And If Mr. Jeon is just a regular old client, no one special, then why…,”

“OK OK OK OK! Dear God give it a rest Esquire. I get it. Jimin covered his face with both of his hands and fell to his side tickled with laughter. “You’re a maniac. I would never want to go up against you in court.” Jimin laughed. He loved his sister so very much. He realized how foolish it was to try to fool her. “He’s maybe…quite possibly…not…just a client,” Jimin finally admitted. 

“So are we talking love, lust or intrigue?”

“Possibly all three? I mean not LOVE love, but love as in I care about him and I care what happens to him. He makes me happy when he’s around. I make him happy too. Sprinkle in a little lust and a lot of intrigue and you have all of the ingredients for my very complicated situationship with my…client.” Jimin cleared his throat.

“Intrigue, that’s an interesting one. There’s still so much mystery surrounding him and everything that happened. Do you have more answers now than when you started seeing him at Second Chances?”

“Not really. I still have very little information about what drove him to the mental institution. Nara, his grandmother, did a fantastic job of hiding all of his records and all public information about him from that time in his life. My only hope of truly finding out what happened is if Jeongguk himself agrees to tell me. The only thing I know is what I have already told you, his sister is somehow related to his trauma…but I don’t know how. I did learn some very new information however. He’s a master Cellist and his most prized possession is his sister’s cello. In fact, it’s worth billions of Won and he keeps it stored in his modest little apartment in Itaewon. He played it for me a couple of days ago and I was rendered speechless. His talent is like something I’ve never experienced. Each note he played pulled a different emotion from me. It was almost a spiritual, or orgasmic experience.”

“Orgasmic? Well since you insist on talking about it. Have you ventured into those waters? What I mean is - when two people share love, friendship, lust and intrigue, fucking usually comes next.”

Jimin placed his palm over Hayoon’s mouth, “Bite your tongue.” He looked around to make sure that neither Aran or Kai heard her using such aggressive language.

He whispered his response, “No! We have not ventured into those waters. And we never will. He’s a client. I would never violate my professionalism by doing something like that.” Jimin was firm with his answer. He conveniently chose not to mention that Jeongguk had gone down on him and made him cum all over his bed. 

Hayoon wasn’t buying it. But she held her tongue, “Uh-huh. Whatever you say.” She gave him a sneaky side eye. Jimin had always kept himself in runway model shape with well manicured hair, perfect skin and the best clothes. But she couldn’t help but notice that he looked particularly hot for his vacation. He was much more glammed up than he would typically be for a simple trip to visit his family. At least subconsciously, he wanted to look good for Jeongguk and that spoke volumes to how Jimin really felt about him. 

“Ok so here is the moment where I give you volumes of advice that you never asked for. A fragile heart just needs a soul with an abundance of love to help heal the wounds. Every time I would break up with a boyfriend, mom would give me that same speech. But it still holds true, especially for Jeongguk. But I say these words with caution. Jeongguk has a fragile heart; the most fragile there is because most of his heart is tied back to mental trauma. You don’t want to be the reason that he relapses or experiences more trauma. You would never forgive yourself if that happened. So I’m going to ask you to do some soul searching of your own. Do you really want to pursue a relationship with a man who has so much emotional baggage?”

“Who said I was pursuing anything…?”

“Stop it Jimin. Let’s not play games. I know you better than anyone else on this earth, besides mom. I changed your diapers. You’re a great salesman, but you can’t manipulate me. I can clearly see that you’re falling in love with this man. I don’t know how it happened, or why, but I need you to consider all of the consequences of what this means. Don’t be so bewitched by his mysterious intrigue that you pursue the lust while forgetting about the love. What I’m trying to say is…are you prepared to heal his fragile heart with your abundance of love? Or are you in this for different reasons? Playing with his heart is like playing with dynamite. You’re already intertwined as part of his emotional support and psychological stability and that makes me very nervous. If I had known about this earlier, I would have cautioned you from the very beginning. The lines between what you offer as a consultant from Second Chances and what you offer as Park Jimin are very blurred. I want you to be happy. You deserve to be happy. And if Jeongguk makes you happy, I will fully support you. I feel like I already know him through all of the wonderful conversations we’ve had about him. I look forward to meeting him and I’ll treat him like part of our family. But my first loyalty is to you. I have to watch out for you because that’s what mom would want me to do - and because I love you. Tread lightly here, don’t make the wrong choice,” Hayoon finally finished her soliloquy. 

Jimin stared into the fireplace. The crashing waves and shifting tide could faintly be heard through the double-pane storm windows. But the sound was calming for him. Maybe it was the fresh sea air, but for the first time, Jimin could see clearly just how tangled of a web he had woven with Jeongguk. His own feelings aside, he wondered if he truly was what was best for Jeongguk as he continued along his healing journey. Had he moved too fast by inviting him on a vacation with him? How did he really feel about Jeongguk and why couldn’t he define it? Was he, himself, capable of maintaining the boundaries between Second Chances and their personal attraction for each other? His sister had dropped many nuggets of wisdom in his head to ponder. With Jeongguk due to arrive in less than twenty-four hours, Jimin had some important decisions to make. 

“If I’m being honest, I never really thought much about the stuff you’re saying. I’ve been  floating on vibes for the last year and that’s been good enough for me.” Jimin stood to his feet and stared through the window. The moon was full, allowing the white capped sea foam to shimmer in the darkness. Even through the blithe of night, the sea was beautiful. He spoke as he faced the window, “I don’t know how to explain it, but there’s something about him that awakens a part of me that I thought was dead. From the first moment I drew the curtain in that mental ward and saw his face, he pulled me in. Even before he ever spoke, we were bonded. We hold hands like it’s the most natural thing in the world. We’re not afraid of intimacy even as friends. Hayoon, I drown in his smile. I fantasize about him. My heart flutters when I hear his voice. I could spend hours just listening to him talk. And yes, his dimples are dangerously adorable. Whatever it is I feel, I’ve got it bad,” Jimin laughed at himself. He turned to face his sister who smiled at him adoringly.

“Sounds very familiar. I used to feel that way when Kai and I started dating. It blossomed into a beautiful love that still exists today. But our situation was quite different and much simpler.” Hayoongrabbed Jimin’s hand and pulled him back down to the couch. She glanced at the fireplace and then back at Jimin. “My concern remains. You’ve got to find a way to separate your personal relationship from whatever is happening at work as part of your services. Here’s what I don’t understand; I’ve researched Second Chances ad nauseum and I still can’t put my finger on what you guys offer. It’s just weird and very secretive. There’s tons of testimonials, referrals, celebrity endorsements, beautiful buildings and beautiful people, but no one will ever give the details of the service. It’s like a closely guarded secret that you have to pay to understand. You’re making so much money that I can’t even keep up with all of your new cars and new watches. Your salary is triple of what I make as an attorney. So let’s start there. How exactly are you helping Jeongguk? What was his grandmother so desperate to give him that she mortgaged his entire future to pay for? Jiminie, what do you actually do at Second Chances?”

The fire sparkled in Jimin’s dark eyes. He turned to Hayoon and held her hand before saying, “We…bring back the dead.”

***

 

Jeongguk dropped the bright yellow, ‘Wet Floor’ sign into place just outside of the concert hall. The hallway leading to the backstage door was wet from his vigorous and aggressive mopping. Scuff marks were the worst and required time and rigor to remove. He made his way quietly onto the stage as he headed for the opposite exit to leave. 

The school’s orchestra had been practicing there for a Christmas concert for military soldiers. Pricy instruments were strewn across the boards of the acoustic hardwood floor while the students left the building for a break. Jeongguk smiled as he tiptoed through the mess of violins, flutes, cellos and string bases. So many happy memories from his high school days tickled his brain. He could succinctly remember practicing in that very same hall for concerts stuffed with Christmas carols.

There was one cello that sat at the very center of the stage. He recognized it. It belonged to the first Cellist, a transfer student from Japan. She was a real talent and Jeongguk was familiar with her work. In the very best way, she reminded him of Jihyo, mostly because of her approach to bleeding her notes. The way she allowed the sound to linger, pulling every possible decibel from her strings, she was unique. Although Jeongguk didn’t feel she was anywhere near as talented as Jihyo.

He moved slowly, careful not to step on any of the instruments. The stage was small and the orchestra was large, so every single square centimeter of the floor was covered. And that’s when he noticed that one of the cellos in the back had a loose D string. It bothered him. He knew from experience that waiting for a student to tighten or replace a string was an annoyance for both the instructor and the other students. He surmised that the string had come loose because the peg was disturbed when the instrument was placed on the floor. It wouldn’t be the first time that a young student was careless with an instrument and handled it too roughly. 

Since the students were away and the concert hall was empty, he decided to quickly repair the string as a courtesy to the reckless kid who broke it. Wearing his tidy black Janitor’s uniform, he plopped down in the seat and lifted the cello to his shoulder. It took mere seconds for him to correct what would have taken an hour for the student to figure out. He plucked the string while turning the peg, lifting the pitch until he found the right one. He could hear the cranking and clicking of the quality wood as the peg made its way around. He hummed the right note to himself and allowed his fingers to do the rest of the work, matching the perfect pitch in his head. The bow that the student was using was under rosined. It likely affected the quality of their play and the smoothness of each note; something the instructor could probably hear but not pinpoint. As a lover and admirer of the art of music, he corrected that problem as well. Somehow that thought made him happy, adding to his already existing euphoria over his Second Chances session and pending vacation with Jimin. 

 

Deeply ingrained habits, good and bad, often left him powerless to cognitively suppress them. And that was exactly what happened as his freshly rosined bow swept across the refurbished D string. A low melodious sound crept to life like the hinges of a coffin as he pulled the cello from the dead. He cradled it gently in his arms as if it were a long lost lover. The melody was his own, one of happiness and joy coupled with a bittersweet mourning. The sound of his soul reverberated through the cavernous space, filling the air with his deepest emotions, speaking the words that he couldn’t. The concert hall, with its woody textures overhead and underfoot, absorbed every note, feeding it back with rich amplification towards the velvet seats below. 

His eyes closed, lost in the music, as his fingers danced with autonomous grace. He gripped the shapely body with his knees, holding it in place, subjecting it to his will, forcing it to succumb to him.  Jeongguk fell into a trance, making love to the instrument as it rewarded him with orgasms of tone and vibration. Every nuance, every tremolo, every note was a whisper of his soul. He offered a performance that the world would pay millions to experience, yet he gave it all to a row of empty seats and an absent audience. As he rounded the back half of his self-composed sonata, he crescendoed at a dizzying pace, pushing forth the most dramatic ending possible. Abruptly, the sound stopped, with only the residue of his last note lingering in the air. And then all was quiet. 

The still of the moment was brief because shortly thereafter a series of applause and whistles erupted behind him. The students had returned but instead of coming through the doors at the front of the concert hall, they walked all over his freshly mopped hallway to re-enter from behind the stage. 

For over one year, no one even noticed him when he stood behind the long pole of a mop. But suddenly, sitting behind the svelt body of a cello, he became the most recognizable face in all of Korea. He was the Maestro. Anyone who knew anything about the classical music genre instantly knew who he was. His devastating talent was legendary. But their confusion became even muddier as they tried to reconcile the fact that the janitor was one of the most famous cello players in the world and nobody noticed. Even the instructor who admittedly had seen the janitor every day, but never gave him any thought, couldn’t understand how she missed something so obvious. She stepped forward in front of her gossiping students and approached him.

“Maestro? Maestro Jeon, is that you?” The instructor asked.

Jeongguk didn’t stick around to answer their questions. He wasn’t in the right headspace to reveal his superhero identity. He placed the instrument gently back on the ground and then fled, bouncing off of the stage and sprinting through the front doors.

***

 

Hobi rolled his eyes. It was Jimin calling yet again. No doubt, he wanted to talk about Jeongguk’s upcoming session - again.

“Yes. I already prepared the room. Yes, the screens are down and all of his favorite snacks are there. Yep, I found the list of his favorite snacks. Yep, I’ll be ready to begin promptly. Now will you please stop calling?”

“Hello to you too,” Jimin laughed. “Soooo maybe I’ve been a little too anxious about this. But it really is a very important session for him and I just…,”

“Yea, yea, yea, you just want to make sure everything is perfect. Jimin, I swear to God, if you call again, I’m walking out. We’ll see how well he does with Mingyu as his consultant for the day.”

“Hobi no! Ok, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to irritate you.”

“You’ve really got it bad for this guy. I hope you haven’t crossed the line with him. He’s very vulnerable and feeding your dimple kink by fucking him is a fireable offense. We don’t get involved with clients, Jimin. It’s unprofessional,” Hobi warned. 

“Just mind your own business. Worry about the session today. I’ll worry about everything else,” Jimin snapped. “Promise to call me and tell me everything about how it went.”

“Everything will be fine, as long as you stop calling. Now I have to go. It’s almost time. Trust me please, Jimin.”

“Thanks. I appreciate you for doing this,” Jimin disconnected. He turned around to find Aran waiting there with a bucket and shovel, “Ready to make sand castles?”

***

 

Hobi rubbed his temples. He was already under enough pressure with his own clients, giving Jimin’s client special treatment just because he had the hots for him was more stress that he didn’t need. But he agreed to do it because Jimin had grown to be a friend. Plus he was invested in seeing Jeongguk do well. If he continued on the path that he was traveling, he would end up as one of Second Chance’s most successful clients in the history of the company. It was definitely something that Si-Hyuk would be able to add to their sales brochure. 

Hobi wandered around PROD 13 rechecking all of his work. It wasn’t necessary for him to understand anything about the subject that was scheduled to be reconjured for Jeongguk. But he was so nervous about the entire session that he decided to sit down and review the file to make sure that he learned as much as he could. It was tier three - role play. CHLOE had written most of the script with Jimin editing and adjusting to more closely fit Jeongguk’s real life experiences. A very specific concert had been loaded from a symphonic tour of southeast asia. The stars of the tour were none other than Jeongguk and his sister, Jihyo. There was beautiful 32K HD footage of them performing together on stage at the Suntory Hall in Minato City, Japan. Hobi finally understood why Jihyo was the leading character in the role play. He was shocked to learn how good Jeongguk was at playing the cello. In fact, he remembered him from a solo concert he once saw on public television. The puzzle pieces were starting to fall into place. They were both Cellists and both incredibly talented, Jeongguk and his sister Jihyo. Something had happened to interrupt their tour. Hobi searched for information to fill the gaps, but there was none.

Hobi called out to CHLOE, “CHLOE, why can’t I find more information about Jeon Jihyo? This orchestra tour seems to be the last public article that even mentions her name. Nothing about Jeongguk either. Not even a mention of him going into a mental institution.” 

“Hi Hobi. I’m afraid that’s all there is. Mr. Jeon has been a great mystery for a couple of years now,” CHLOE responded. CHLOE’s translucent screen appeared as a floating image in the middle of the PROD. 

“How has Jimin dealt with this? An incomplete file? That’s so irritating. How did he get this far in the sessions without knowing some of the critical background?”

“He knows enough,” CHLOE said mysteriously.

“What do you mean?” Hobi dropped the file on the table and stared up at the ambient blue light that was CHLOE.

“Jimin has a way of getting information…stuff that even I can’t find. I imagine he gets most of his information directly from the source, Mr. Jeon himself. Once he started talking, he filled in quite a bit of information that Jimin didn’t originally have. Nara designed Jeongguk’s program to be void of artificial intelligence.”

“That’s impossible. The entire program is AI,” Hobi argued.

 CHLOE explained further, “She insisted that Jimin get to know Jeongguk ‘organically’ as she stated. Meaning, he was forbidden from learning about Jeongguk through sources like me. She wanted him to get to know him and make all program adjustments based on the information that Jeongguk fed to him. Kind of like, completing a math problem on a piece of paper instead of using a calculator. He had to show his work. If you’ll notice, Jimin has refined the program weekly for the last two years. He’s made well over 13,000 edits and none of the code has been erroneous or backed out. That tells me that it’s all correct.”

“And the only way that could happen is if he had a reliable source?” Hobi was finally starting to understand.

“Yes. Jeongguk himself. I believe he and Jimin simply - talk,” CHLOE glitched and glowed pink for a brief moment. It was her way of smiling. “But as for the rest of the world, me included, we have been kept in the dark. As Nara once said, people of her generation don’t put everything on social media for the world to see. Some secrets can be very discreetly kept as secrets,” CHLOE recounted a speech that she had once overheard Nara give to Jimin. 

“Holy shit CHLOE,” Hobi rubbed his temples again. “This all makes so much sense. No wonder Jimin is so attached to this guy. He’s re-lived his entire life story with him. They truly had to bond in order for Jimin to get this much information about his life. Holy shit!” Hobi said again.

“Shit can be holy? That is a profound statement that I will have to research in order to validate. This is the first time I have heard this reference. If you will excuse me, I’ll get to work on that…,”

“No…CHLOE. Stop. It’s just profanity. A silly statement that humans use. No need to research. It’s not a real act, or state or thing. It is just a euphemism.”

“Understood.” CHLOE flashed pink again. Profanity always confused her.

“What I’m trying to say is…I think Jimin may be falling for this guy.”

“Falling? Do you mean in love?” CHLOE questioned.

“Possibly.”

“The statistical probability of a SC Consultant falling in love with a client is approximately .099% based on my calculations.”

Hobi rubbed his temples for yet a third time, “CHLOE, I don’t think this is going to end well for Jimin.”

***

 

Since Jimin was traveling, he allowed Jeongguk to borrow his car. There were several large items that Jeongguk needed to transport to his session, primarily the priceless cello that he had chosen to take with him. There was a box of sheet music, several photo albums, and of course his tuxedo. For the first time in over three years, he was preparing to perform.

He arrived ten minutes before the start of his session. Jimin was a stickler for timeliness and so too, was Jeongguk. Per Jimin’s instructions, he parked his signature Porsche Macan a block away from the Second Chances building. It was not a good idea for the staff at Second Chances to see him driving Jimin’s car. He was also instructed not to mention anything about joining Jimin on his vacation. Jeongguk understood Jimin’s reasons, but hated all of the secrecy.

The consultant named Hobi was the one he was instructed to ask for. In Jimin’s absence, he was going to lead him to the proper PROD and get the program started. Jeongguk walked into the lobby and found Hobi standing there at attention, waiting anxiously for him to arrive. 

Hobi jumped as soon as he saw Jeongguk walk through the door with the large encased cello in his arms. He rushed over to him, “You must be Mr. Jeon. I’m very excited to have you here. Uhh, I didn’t expect you to bring props.” Hobi looked over the cello and wondered what Jeongguk planned to do with it. And then he remembered that a concert was queued up as part of the day’s session. The Maestro was going to play. He smiled at him.

“The cello is a very important part of my session today. I’m celebrating a very important anniversary,” Jeongguk explained even though it was none of Hobi’s business.

“Let me show you to your PROD.”

“Uh, yes. But I have one more trip to make back to the car. Let me set up the cello and then I’ll be right back.”

“I can have someone get your things out of the car. It will only take a second, where are you parked? We have plenty of people available to help you,” Hobi offered.

Jeongguk thought quickly on his feet, “NO. I mean, I prefer to walk. It’s good exercise. I’m kind of particular about people touching my stuff.” 

“No problem. I completely understand,” Hobi looked on suspiciously. 

Maybe it was his imagination, but he could have sworn that he had seen Jimin’s signature, custom ordered Macan pass by on the street just before Jeongguk arrived. He wondered if it was possible that Jeongguk didn’t want him to see the car he was driving because it was Jimin’s Porsche. After what Hobi had learned about the two of them being so cozy, nothing would have surprised him. He didn’t press Jeongguk any further. Instead he helped him get the cello set up in PROD 13 and then sat there to babysit it while Jeongguk made two additional trips to retrieve his belongings from the car. Jeongguk had never arrived with props before. Whatever he had planned, it was indeed special.

 

For Jeongguk, it was strange being hosted by someone other than Jimin. Although Hobi was perfectly fine, he missed Jimin and the long conversations they would have both before and after each of his sessions. He missed his beautiful face and bright pink lips. He missed his awful jokes and boisterous laugh. He missed the feel of his warm body and the taste of his cum. He missed every conceivable thing about him. Even though it had only been two days since they parted, he missed him. His feelings were all tempered by the fact that in less than 24 hours, the two of them would be together again. He took comfort in that.

The room was ready. All of the tables were glass because they served as the primary projection for each of the holographic images in the reconjuring. Each PROD was kept as empty as possible in order to allow space for all of the manufactured images to be rendered without interference from solid objects. The glass also helped facilitate the 3-D rendering which gave each of the subjects their lifelike appearance. 

 

They were ready to begin. Jeongguk was in place. His cello sat on the stand behind him like an obedient soldier. He had changed into an exquisite tuxedo, quite expensive based on Hobi’s initial assessment. He wondered just how much wealth the Maestro had before being locked inside of the looney bin. Nothing about the display was cheap. Even the cello looked as if it were a vintage artifact. The mystery of Jeon Jeongguk only deepened for him. He could understand why Jimin was so obsessed with him.

Hobi stepped forward and waved his hands through the air. Jimin had a series of complicated commands integrated into the program. Hobi was required to enter all of them accurately before the system would respond. Some of the commands were verbal, others were physical gestures. It was Jimin’s own unique way of keeping Jeongguk’s program safe from tampering by the other consultants; a sign that Jimin didn’t fully trust Mingyu and Si-Hyuk, even though Hobi didn’t understand why. 

With only one attempt, Hobi was able to activate all of the lights, and lasers. The PROD was filled with thousands of holographic scripts that rendered the reconjured subject. All at once, the image of Jeon Jihyo appeared. The image generator that provided the reconjuring had undergone significant upgrades as Si-Hyuk embraced the newest technology. Jeongguk was definitely the beneficiary because his tier three images looked almost the same as those that were found in the tier seven packages. Jihyo was so clear that even the pores in her skin rendered with crystal clear clarity. She was a beautiful girl, clearly Jeongguk’s twin sister because they were almost identical. When she arrived, she looked sternly at Hobi as a reminder that it was time for him to go. Jeongguk barely even noticed that he was still there, he only had eyes for Jihyo. He smiled broadly and welcomed her back.

“Hey kiddo. Wow, your dress is beautiful. Jimin picked it, didn’t he?”

She didn’t answer Jeongguk, but continued to glare at Hobi. It took him a minute to realize that she was waiting for him to leave. Another security measure that Jimin had built in. The program would not commence until Jeongguk was alone. “Oh, wait yea, that’s my cue to leave.” He laughed at himself and quickly exited the room.

The room darkened as the holograph of Jihyo glowed in the middle of the glass table. “Hi Ggukie! Yes, Jimin picked the dress. But I love it. This is a Cristillini. It’s over $25,000 in the U.S. He has exquisite taste. I’m so glad that you and he are…friends. Can I say friends? Because I gotta tell you, it seems like there’s more happening on that side of the glass,” Jihyo laughed.

“Mind your own business. You’ve always been way too invested in my love life,” Jeongguk smiled at his twin sister who shared his dimples, his lips, his ears, his forehead and even his nose.

“Excuse me? Did you say love life? As in love? Funny word to use for someone who’s just a friend.”

“Drop it frog face.”

“My face is your face. We’re twins dumb ass. If I’m a frog, you’re a frog.” Jihyo became serious, “I can’t wait to play beside you. It’s been such a long time. Today is the anniversary of our last ever performance together. Everything about that day was so special. I love Christmas and Christmas music.”

“Performing with you has always been my greatest honor. Kiddo, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you.”

“What is it? I’m all ears…frog ears.”

“Do frogs have ears?”

Jihyo shrugged with a broad smile, “Hell if I know…what do you need to tell me?”

They both laughed as the outline of Suntory Hall in Tokyo began to render slowly around them. The seats filled one by one with random faces who were ready to experience their concert. The two sat dead center with rows and rows of seats above, behind and beside them. The lights were dim as the brilliant crystal chandeliers hung overhead. A single three meter Christmas tree stood decorated to their rear.

“I was listening to your solo concert the other day and I just couldn’t get over your technique. The sound that you’re able to achieve with your instrument is something that has never been matched by anyone ever. Not even me. You’re something special and the world has never seen a Cellist quite like you. I don’t feel like I’ve ever really told you this, but you’ve always been a better Cellist than me.”

“I know. And Grandma knew too. That’s the reason that I got the Stradivarius and not you.”

“Ok now wait a minute. In all fairness, Grandma was broke by the time I started playing.”

“Yea, because Uncle Baek stole all of her money. Did she ever sue him for that? What an asshole.”

“She never did. She felt that family was more important than money. So she let it go and let him get away with it. Karma is a bitch though. He lost all of his money in a romance scheme with some woman in New Jersey. So there’s that,” Jeongguk laughed. “But seriously. I hope you hear what I’m saying. I’ve found this new appreciation for your work lately. Back when we were touring it seemed like I could only hear the flaws, the mistakes, the bad notes. It was my arrogance. I never could really focus on the musicality of what you were playing. I’m embarrassed to admit it, but I didn’t appreciate you as much as I should have. But lately, I just see things differently. I see everything…differently.”

“Thank you big brother. Your words mean a great deal to me. You’re my Idol, the one that I have always looked up to. I mimicked you and everything you did. I’m only great because you’re great. I’ll admit, I was jealous when you started receiving all of the attention even though you started playing two years after I did. But I soon learned that it was well deserved. You are the Maestro Ggukie, not me. It’s no secret that God gave you a talent that the world has never seen before. I can admit that, I can appreciate that. It’s my honor to play beside you brother.”

Jeongguk began to tear up. He stared at his beautiful sister in her regal black gown with her glossy midnight hued cello between her knees. Her hair was longer than he remembered, longer than their previous session. Definitely Jimin’s doing as he attempted to mimic the look from their Tokyo performance as closely as possible. Her maquillage was heavy in order to broadcast her beauty all the way to the patrons in the back row of the concert hall. She was almost as tall as Jeongguk, quite statuesque. She was so beautiful. She was Jeongguk’s favorite person. She was there, present and ready to once again make beautiful music with him. 

He quickly gathered the cello from the corner and placed it on its thick rubber spike. He pulled it towards his shoulder and began tuning it once again. 

“It looks good with you. Probably where it should have been all along,” Jihyo said lovingly.

“This instrument will always be yours. I’m just keeping it warm since…well…I’m just keeping it warmed up for you. I take care of it knowing that one day it will be returned to you.”

“No it won’t. It’s yours now. It’s time for you to accept that,” Jihyo tried her best to maintain the line between where she began and where she ended. “I won’t always be here Ggukie. Our time is limited. We have to make the most of the time we have.”

“Don’t talk that way. You’ll always be here. I’ll protect you…much better than I did before. I’ll keep you safe and we’ll always be together,” Jeongguk insisted. 

“We only have about one hour remaining. We’ve talked too much. The people have come to watch us play so we better get on with it,” Jihyo gave her brother a gentle reminder that their session was timed at only two hours. If they were once again going to play together, they needed to begin.

The list of songs scrolled through the air in neon red ink. They were in the same order as they had originally played them three years prior in Minato City. The concert hall was full of random faces that Jimin had selected from video footage of the actual concert. All of them had been reconjured as accurately as possible. A hush fell over the crowd as the Maestro and Maestra were introduced. Jihyo had never been given that official title, but Jimin felt it was appropriate and added it to the program. Hearing her called by that title made Jeongguk very happy. 

Every eye in the place turned towards the stage. Jeongguk in his dashing black tuxedo and Jihyo in her stunning black gown sat side by side playing the exact same cello. Jeongguk held the real thing, while Jihyo’s black cello was just a figment of CHLOE’s imagination, a recreation of the original cello that she owned in the world of the living. 

Jeongguk prepared his bow, placed the cello gently against his chest. He squeezed his knees around her sexy figure and then gave Jihyo a nod. Together they struck the very first note. 

***

 

At the very moment that Jimin dropped his bombshell about Second Chances bringing back the dead, Hayoon was called away by Aran who’d had a terrifying nightmare. She paused the conversation and promised Jimin that they would pick it up again on the following day.

And the very next morning, she found Jimin in the kitchen, hovering over her espresso machine as he stared out over the cloudy horizon. She didn’t want Aran or Kai to hear their conversation, so she waited a couple of hours until the two of them were out of the room. Once she and Jimin were finally alone, she pounced.

“Hey…so about last night…,”

“What about it?” Jimin said casually, not realizing that a storm was brewing.

“You said something, and I don’t think I heard you clearly. I’m going to need you to repeat it. When I asked you about what you do at Second Chances, I thought I heard you say something silly like - bringing back the dead.”

“Yes. That’s exactly what we do. They’re called reconjurings. Strange name really, but something Si-Hyuk came up with when he invented the AI program. The man is a genius. He found a way to recreate actual people in such a realistic way that they appear as exact duplicates of the deceased. It took him years to formulate the code and he’s a millionaire many times over because of it. His son works with him, but he’s not as keen on the business as his father is. It’s simple really. The higher the tier that a client purchases, the more realistic the images appear. In fact, Si-Hyuk had a design so intricate that it is only offered in tier seven, the highest tier. He’s found a way to make the images touchable, robots. You can hug them, kiss them, and even fuck them. Their flesh feels like real skin and they’re the spitting image of the deceased loved one. The lower tiers only offer computer images - holograms. But they’re very convincing and the clients really enjoy them.” Jimin sipped his espresso and smiled at his sister.

Hayoon was aghast, “Wait, wait. Let me get this straight. You sell reincarnations of dead people in the form of AI bots?”

Jimin explained further, “Not exactly bots. It’s more nuanced than that. We literally recreate or reconjure the dead, bringing them back to life with the use of AI. We use a series of pictures, voice samples, psych analysis, family interviews, school yearbooks, videos and anything else we can find to recreate the person that died. We even feed family stories and special memories into the models to make them as accurate as possible. Most of the scripts are written by the consultants, and our data engines but the generative AI is so intuitive that it can use the cues to create brand new logic that results in original conversation. It’s extraordinary really.”

Hayoon turned a deep shade of red. Her anger was apparent, “Jimin…that’s disgusting. Is this what you sell for a living? Are you telling me that you trick people into believing that their loved ones never died?”

“Oh calm down. It’s not like that. These people come to us. We only work from referrals. We simply fulfill a fantasy that helps make them whole again. You have to understand, when someone loses a spouse or a child, especially in a tragic manner, it can break them. Some people never get over it. The pain is too much. I can’t tell you how many parents who tragically lost their children, come to us for a reconjuring because they simply cannot let go. We warn all of our clients of what could happen and the possible psychological effects it could have. And guess what? Every single one of them accepts the risk because it’s what they want. The images we create are identical to their lost souls. It’s a service that has helped thousands of people heal from the pain of loss. And I don’t apologize for being a part of it. I’ve never been as fulfilled as I am with this job. I truly help people.”

“HELP PEOPLE?” Hayoon jumped to her feet. “I knew this company was suspicious, but I had no idea this was what you were doing. Jimin, how could you? How do you live with yourself?”

“I live with myself just fine. These people go into this with their eyes wide open. They know exactly what’s happening and what to expect. We cure them Hayoon. We cure loneliness, we cure despair, we cure heartache. Take our tier one package for example. It’s nothing more than a quick visit with their deceased loved one where they get a chance to say goodbye and purge their hearts of all of the things they never got to tell that person. It’s cathartic. This service is something that our world needs. If AI can bring these mourners peace, then what’s wrong with that?”

“What’s wrong with that? I can’t believe you don’t see how dangerous this is. There’s so much wrong with what you are doing. I don’t even know where to start. First of all, you only serve the rich. You suck them dry of their money and for what? For a fantasy that will never be real? What happens when they run out of money? In fact, didn’t you tell me about a woman who spent over 50 billion won with your fancy tier seven surface and then lost her mind when you took her services away?”

“Mrs. Lim,” Jimin added. But she’s not a good example. She had mental issues that we didn’t catch before accepting her into the program. Her kids and husband were killed in a plane crash in Jeju and she wanted them reconjured. Mingyu should have never allowed her in. She wasn’t stable…,”

“WASN’T STABLE? She would have been perfectly stable if you had just allowed her to grieve like the rest of society. You were devastated when that lady had her breakdown. You called me that night crying inconsolably. She lost her two small babies in a plane crash and Mingyu convinced her that they were still alive in that fucking simulator and then when she didn’t have any more money, you took them from her. You took her children away for a second time! That would drive anyone fucking insane. It’s cruel and inhumane. And where is she now…a mental hospital, right? Living in a delusion that Mingyu knew she couldn’t maintain. Baby, don’t you understand how destructive this is? Can you please just see past the money? You’re destroying people’s lives by pushing them into a world that doesn’t exist.”

“The life of the dead is placed in the memory of the living. You’ve heard that quote. We make it a possibility.”

“The memory of the living. With memory being the key word. The deceased live on in our memories, not as replicas that we create to pretend that the death never occurred. Death is a part of life, it is the most finite part. It is what gives life its value because we know that we can’t be here forever so we must aim to do things right while we still exist. What you’re doing upsets the entire balance of humanity. Oh Jimin, why don’t you understand how terrible this is?”

“It’s your opinion. My opinion is different.”

“Your opinion is wrong! Ok, ok, let’s use mom as an example.”

“Don’t you dare bring mom into this!” Jimin was already starting to tear.

“Yea, I am. Her death devastated both of us. You were driven to drugs and alcohol. I was depressed and barely able to work. But you know what we did Jimin, we fought through it. We accepted her death as part of our lives and we cherished her memory. We’re better people today for having gone through it. Watching a parent suffer is something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. But when she died, she finally had peace and we found comfort in that. We didn’t prop her up on some counter with a bunch of computer generated lights and pretend she was still alive. We respected her life by respecting her death.”

“I don’t want to talk about mom.”

“Because it hits too close to your heart. Mom would have hated this and you know it.”

“I would have given anything to bring her back. I don’t care if she would have hated it, it would have saved me years of heartache. If I could have just talked to her one last time. If I just could have seen her face and looked into her eyes one last time, everything would have been better for me. I wouldn’t have suffered the way I did. So yes, if I had known about Second Chances ten years ago and I had the money, I would have recreated my fucking mother and brought her back to me!”

Hayoon couldn’t believe what Jimin was saying. It had been ten years since their mother died yet his pain was still fresh. He was still suffering. “I can’t believe you would have even considered bringing our mother into this farce of a creation. This shit has brainwashed you. Not only has Si-Hyuk pulled a scam on his clients, he’s pulled one on you. This is not ok Jimin. It’s not ok. It can only end badly for these poor people who get caught up in this.” Hayoon sat silently for a moment until a terrifying thought came to her. She spun on her heels and lurched towards Jimin, grabbing both of his shoulders, “Oh my God. Jeongguk! Is this the service you’re giving Jeongguk? You’re bringing back his dead sister? Jimin, please, please say you aren’t doing this to him. Please Jimin. This man has a mental disorder. You’re feeding into his delusions by making him think his sister is still alive. You have to stop the sessions, Jimin. Stop the sessions immediately. Get him out of there and into the hands of a good therapist. This won’t end well for either of you. Oh my fucking God. How is this happening?” Hayoon began to panic. Just as she was about to unleash on her brother again, the doorbell rang.

She spun towards the door, completely confused about who could be visiting. The ring was followed by a knock. She and Jimin stood frozen; partially from the levity of their conversation and partially from confusion about their unexpected guest. 

With a soft voice, he called through the door, “Hello. Uh, I can hear you talking. If you’ve decided that I’m not invited, that’s fine, but I need train money to get home because I drove Jimin’s car here.” 

“Jeongguk?” Jimin said as he rushed passed his sister and swung the door open. “What-what are you doing here?”

“I was invited? I think?” Jeongguk stood there with his decorated Christmas tree beneath his arm and a large black suitcase.

Jimin couldn’t breathe. He was so happy to see him that his knees buckled. His bright smile, simple clothing and hint of cherry blossom sent Jimin’s heart soaring. He was exactly what he needed at exactly the right time. He leapt from the doorway into Jeongguk’s arms, knocking the Christmas tree to the ground. “Oh God, you’re here. You’re here. You’re…early?”

“I am. I’ve been calling all morning but you didn’t answer. I was able to start my vacation a day early. As soon as my session was over with Hobi, I hit the road and drove down here. I figured you wouldn’t mind if we started our vacation a little early,” Jeongguk looked back and forth between Hayoon and Jimin. He could see fresh tears in Jimin’s eyes. Hayoon was equally upset. “Did I interrupt something?”

Hayoon rushed forward, “Of course not. We are so, so very happy to have you. I’m Hayoon, Jimin’s sister. Welcome. Welcome. Come in, your room is ready.” She yelled towards the back of the house, “Kai, Aran, Jeongguk is here.”

“Your home is incredible. You’re high on the cliff that overlooks the entire ocean. I can see all the way to the Cheongsapo lighthouse. Whoa. Jimin, you never told me that your sister lived in such an incredible place.”

Jimin couldn’t bring himself to speak. His soul longed for Jeongguk, to be alone with him and to purge the terrible thoughts his sister had put in his head. He needed reassurance, and kindness that only Jeongguk could give. But he couldn’t seek it, not just yet. Not until all of the niceties and introductions were concluded. He had to suffer through it when all he really wanted was to break down and cry.

Jeongguk felt a tug on his shirt. He looked down to see little Aran standing at his feet. “Hi.”

“Hi. You’re Uncle Geeman’s friend? Welcome home. I have a room for you. I even let you borrow some of my favorite stuffed animals to help you sleep. Sometimes I get scared sleeping in a new place, so I know how hard it is to be in a different house.”

Jeongguk leaned down so that he was eye to eye with Aran, “How kind. I cannot wait to meet your stuffed animal friends. I promise to take good care of them and return them to you when I leave.”

“Is that a real Christmas tree?” Aran eyed the fully decorated tree that had fallen to the ground.

“It sure is. Jimin said I could bring it.” Jeongguk stood to his feet again and looked across the room. The tension was thick. He had definitely interrupted some kind of argument between Jimin and Hayoon. Kai entered the room a few moments later and he also was struck by the tension between Jimin and Hayoon. Jeongguk continued, “I know that you guys don’t celebrate Christmas, but I bought each of you a small gift as a token of my appreciation for allowing me to stay. A hotel would have been well beyond my budget. So I’m very grateful for your generosity.” Jeongguk bowed to all of his hosts.

“Where are my manners? We should show you to your room. Jimin, would you do the honors of showing Jeongguk his room?” Hayoon wiped a lingering tear that dropped from the corner of her eye. 

Jeongguk was uncomfortable. He felt like a burden already and he had just arrived. 

Jimin grabbed his luggage and his Christmas tree and gave him a loving smile, “Come this way. You’re in the room right next to mine. You have a great view and a beautiful bed,” Jimin talked aimlessly, just to say words. 

When they finally got to the room, Jimin closed the door and stood against it with his arms folded. Eyes wilted, lips in a full pout, he looked sadder than Jeongguk had ever seen him. The younger immediately approached him. His eyes were warm and welcoming. The first thing he did was hug him.

“What’s going on here? What did I walk in on?” Jeongguk asked sweetly.

Jimin felt as if he could purge all of his problems. But he knew it wasn’t fair to drop all of his heavy burdens into Jeongguk’s lap so soon, considering that he hadn’t even unpacked yet. “Don’t worry about it. It’s very complicated. Family shit that…don’t worry about it. Look, I’m sorry you had to walk in on that. It’s not fair to you. They’re all really happy you’re here, especially Aran. But…no one is happier than me. I’ve missed you Jeongguk. It’s been two fucking days and I’ve missed you like we’ve been apart for a month. Not sure what you’re doing to me, but it’s something.”

“I missed you too.” Jeongguk reciprocated Jimin’s sentiment genuinely.  “I’m not going to pry. When you’re ready to talk about whatever is going on with you two, I’ll be here. You’ve always been such a strong shoulder for me. It’s time for me to return the favor. You can always tell me anything,” Jeongguk stated firmly.

Jimin released the longing that he’d withheld since Jeongguk’s arrival. He stepped forward and looped his arms around Jeongguk’s neck. With a tight hug, he lingered there, in the safe embrace of the man he vowed to always protect.

Jeongguk smiled as he bent to brush Jimin’s lips with a perfunctory kiss. He didn’t want to be too forward, especially given how melancholy Jimin was feeling. But Jimin prolonged the kiss, increasing the pressure of his mouth. He sought more than docile acceptance, he wanted Jeongguk fully locked in a committed moment of passion that would soothe his troubled mind. In a crudely intimate act, he brushed his hand against the bulge of Jeongguk’s crotch; once, twice, again and again until Jeongguk began to groan against his mouth as his erection sprouted. 

Their kiss became hard and needy as Jimin pushed the younger one to the bed and climbed on top of him. He sifted his fingers through Jeongguk’s hair and scattered kisses all over his mouth. Tenderly he bit at his lips and chin, teasing him with half kisses, half nibbles.

Jeongguk sought Jimin’s wandering mouth and lifted to meet him. They clasped hands with Jimin roughly lifting Jeongguk’s hands above his head so that he could devour his neck. He wanted to do everything that he had promised not to. 

The thoughts of blurred lines between client and lover played in his head.  Jeongguk was a client. A client. He had promised not to cross the line. Hayoon’s words reverberated in his ears as if she were in the room still lecturing him. He froze. 

“What’s wrong?” Jeongguk said suddenly.

“I better get out of here. I don’t know what came over me. I’m sorry, Jeongguk. I’m sorry. I always go too far. This isn’t right.” Jimin jumped away from Jeongguk and patted his balls to try to make his dick go down.

Jeongguk didn’t protest. He understood that Jimin was dealing with some emotional shit with his sister. Even though he didn’t know what it was about, he felt Jimin needed space to deal with it. So he backed off and allowed Jimin to pull away.

“I understand. I’m always here if you need me…just to talk,” he clarified.

“Thank you. Lately, you seem to be the only one that I can count on. Goodnight.”

***

Jeongguk stirred when he heard the knock at his door. 

“Come in,” he said as clearly as possible given his raspy morning voice. 

“Hey, good morning,” Jimin slid into Jeongguk’s room, closing the door behind him. “How’d you sleep?” He sat gently on the edge of the bed.

Jeongguk was barely awake, “This is real right, you’re really in my room? Or am I dreaming again?” Jeongguk needed to be sure in order to conduct himself accordingly.

“It’s real, but baby, why do you always think I’m part of a dream?”

“Because I dream about you - every night.”

“Every night?” Jimin found that flattering, further proof that he and Jeongguk were uniquely bonded and his attraction to him was not one-sided. 

“Every night,” Jeongguk sat up, rubbing his eyes. 

Never had he actually admitted to what his dreams were about, but Jimin suspected them to be sexual. “Is it overstepping to ask what your dreams are about and how I’m involved? And is it the exact same dream, all the time?”

“It’s the exact same dream - all the time. There are small variations, but not many. It always starts with you waking me up and standing by my bedside. I’ve had them for a while now, at least a year.”

“And why am I there?” Jimin probed innocently to learn more.

Jeongguk’s cheeks filled with the crimson shade of embarrassment. “It’s different each time but…you’re there to…well each time it starts with you…climbing on top of me.”

“Oh. Climbing on top of you. Sounds simple enough. Like this?” Jimin climbed on top of Jeongguk. He straddled his crotch amidst a stream of giggles.

“Yea, just like that,” Jeongguk’s cheeks continued to burn red. He wiggled uncomfortably as Jimin pressed down over his sprouting erection. “And then you kiss me, and then…you remove my pants and…,”

“Say it,” Jimin could feel Jeongguk’s cock growing underneath him as he sat on top of him.

“And then things happen,” he smiled as Jimin continued to tease him by rubbing their crotches together. “You should probably climb off of me now. Kind of dangerous. Your sister could walk in or something...”

“I’ve always lived dangerously,” what started as just playful teasing grew into an erotic little itch that Jimin needed to scratch. He leaned forward over Jeongguk’s lips and gently whispered against them, “Do your naughty little dreams have a happy ending?”

“I usually have to get myself there, but yea.”

Jimin continued in a low sultry whisper; this time sharing his closely guarded secret, “I’ve wanted you from the first time you ever touched me. Your body is bespoke for mine, I can already feel it. You send pulses of fire through me.” 

“Glad you admitted it first. I thought it was just me. That’s probably why I dream about you fucking me every night.”

“Fucking you? Ah, now we’re getting somewhere. So, in your dreams, I come to fuck you every night…?” Jimin repeated as his pillow lips lowered to meet Jeongguk’s bow and arrow lips. Rotating his hips to increase the friction between them, Jimin could feel Jeongguk’s thickness battling against his own. A mess of blankets and pajamas tangled between their pressed crotches as Jimin worked for more stimulation. Faster and faster he gyrated over Jeongguk’s body, using his own hard cock to massage the other. The bed squeaked mildly under the rocking of his hips.

Jeongguk’s large powerful hands suddenly grabbed Jimin’s thin waist with the mighty grip of a wild animal. His neck arched backwards over his pillow and his mouth opened slightly. A puff of air and an errant shudder suddenly released. The entirety of his body trembled when an unexpected orgasm rendered him speechless.

Jimin, satisfied with his devilish work, kissed him to help soothe his overheated loins. “That was one of those quick nasty ones that you have to get out first thing in the morning,” he said in reference to making Jeongguk cum all over himself.

The younger one laughed and covered his face, “I’m wet now. I’ve got cum on your sister’s sheets. Are you happy?”

“Yep.”

“Come here,” Jeongguk pulled Jimin into bed with him and buried him beneath the warm blankets.

“It’s wet in here,” Jimin teased again.

“Yes, your own fault. Would you please be serious for a minute? How are you? I spent half the night worrying about you.”

“There’s nothing to worry about. I’m fine, feeling much better this morning. I was just having a bad night last night. This shit with Hayoon is really getting to me. She said some things that…I can’t get out of my fucking head. And honestly, she scared me a little.”

“What did she say?” Jeongguk had a hunch that their argument was about him. He had no idea just how accurate he was.

“I don’t want to rehash all of that. Besides, it’s my problem, not yours. You have enough to worry about,” Jimin kissed him with the delicacy of a man who’d been his lover for a lifetime. He suddenly switched the subject, “You’re wearing clothes? Don’t you usually sleep in the raw?”

“Yea, of course I’m wearing clothes. I wouldn’t come to a stranger’s house and sleep with no… wait a minute. How do you know that I sleep naked?”

“Look at those grey clouds rolling in. Must be a storm, huh?” Jimin pivoted to avoid telling Jeongguk that he’d seen his fully naked body while he was sleeping the night of their sleepover. 

Jeongguk fixed his doe eyes upon Jimin’s pale face. “Sure. I’ll look at the clouds but you’re going to answer my question eventually.”

“Tomorrow, I thought we’d go out and visit some of the old buildings in Busan. Maybe visit my old high school and some of our favorite restaurants,” he smiled. “I know you left Busan to move to Seoul when you were still young, but maybe some of it will spark nostalgia.”

“Are you sure you’re up to it?”

“I need some air. I can’t be trapped in the house all day with Hayoon judging me and staring daggers into my flesh. So yes, I’m really up to it,” Jimin managed a smile.

“Then I guess it’s a proper date.” There was something weighing on Jeongguk’s mind that he needed to address, “Feels like things are escalating between us, kinda fast. My therapist wants me to sleep with you, you’ve seen me naked at least once that I know of. I’ve tasted your sweet cum that tastes like blueberries and fresh whipped cream and I…”

“...Blueberries and whipped cream!” Jimin laughed so loudly that he had to cover his own mouth to keep from waking up the rest of his family.

“Oh it’s delicious,” Jeongguk licked his lips like a nasty little porn star. He continued, “Seriously, is it all…too much? What I’m trying to say is…am I pushing you into…well into being physical before you’re ready? I haven’t been very subtle about how I feel and sometimes I can be a bit tone deaf and awkward when it comes to these things.”

“Jeonggukie…,” Jimin was slow to realize that he’d given him a nickname. It was likely something he’e heard from Jihyo during one of Jeongguk’s sessions. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not shy about sharing my opinion and my feelings. If I didn’t want this, I would have stopped it. Let’s just try to pace ourselves and enjoy the journey.” Jimin crawled out of Jeongguk’s bed, but not before giving him one last deeply passionate kiss, “Now - get dressed. It’s almost time for breakfast.”

***

Breakfast was, at best, awkward. Kai volunteered to clear the table. Jimin and Hayoon artfully avoided each other as the former loitered around the espresso machine. Hayoon aggressively cleaned the counters. While Jeongguk sat alone at the breakfast table wearing a purple knitted sweater and a casual pair of jeans. Jimin recognized it as the sweater that Nara had knitted for him. It was fulfilling to see Jeongguk actually wear it. And somehow, it didn’t look as ugly on him as it did sitting in the bottom of Nara’s purse. 

Jeongguk looked between Jimin and Hayoon. He was already growing tired of their spat. Whatever animosity they shared the night before, still lingered causing an uncomfortable feeling to burn in his chest. He decided to address it. 

He spoke up, “If you need me to go, I will. I hope I’m not the reason you two are arguing. Maybe my presence here wasn’t such a good idea,” Jeongguk’s internalized paranoia around his history of mental illness drove him to feel socially insecure even in the most abstract circumstances. 

“If you leave, I’m going with you,” Jimin said harshly.

“No one is leaving,” Hayoon snapped. “Jeongguk, ignore us. This is just silly sibling stuff that has nothing to do with you. Jimin and I can’t seem to get on the same page. It’s our problem, not yours. I’m very sorry if we’ve made you feel uncomfortable. We’re being bad hosts.”

“I’m sorry Jeongguk. This isn’t how I thought our week would begin,” Jimin placed his cup on the counter. 

Aran ran into the kitchen carrying a mess of fabric and string. “Uncle Geeman. The sun is out. Are you ready?”

“Ready? For what, sweetheart?” Jimin knelt down and gave his nephew a hug.

“Flying our kites! We have five, one for each of us.”

“Flying a kite? It’s freezing outside,” Jimin laughed. He looked up at Jeongguk who seemed rather fond of the idea.

“I haven’t flown a kite in years. I’m in,” Jeongguk said cheerfully. He grabbed Aran’s bundle of tangled string and began to help him untangle them. He chose a kite with purple streaks because it matched his sweater. 

Jeongguk and Aran took their time dressing in warm coats, hats and gloves. The beach was not the warmest place to spend a chilly December morning, but it was definitely beautiful.

Kai grabbed his coat and the three of them headed towards the sea shore to catch the morning wind.

Jeongguk paused at the door, “Coming?” He asked Jimin with a smile. 

Jimin cut his eyes towards Hayoon who was staring at him again. “Yea. I need to get out of here.”

“It’ll be fun.” Jeongguk grabbed Jimin’s hand and jerked him hard towards the door. He practically dragged him down the dunes to the packed sand that sat just beyond the water’s edge. With a great deal of tenderness, he wrapped Jimin’s small fingers around the body of the kite. “Let it be free!”

A reluctant smile spread across Jimin’s face. Jeongguk really was his happy pill.

Aran’s kite immediately caught wind. The wind was so fierce that he was temporarily swept off of his feet. Kai grabbed him and pulled him back down to the ground while Jimin and Jeongguk burst into laughter. The waves sang in tandem behind them as the brisk breeze whistled in their ears and frosted their noses. It was cold but they barely noticed. Aran’s giggles and Kai’s laughter were infectious.

Hayoon begrudgingly joined them as well. Although she didn’t bother with manning a kite, she did run alongside her son as his gleeful yelps were carried out to sea.

 

After an hour of running up and down the shore with their kites soaring high above the silhouette of Busan’s skyline, Hayoon slipped back inside. She emerged with a tray full of steaming hot chocolate and marshmallows. With a quick wave, she called out to the boys and welcomed them back to enjoy a hot drink.

The sun glowed overhead, casting bright lights around them as they trudged up and down the beach. Kai was the first to take a break and meet her on the porch to grab a mug. Jimin, out of pure exhaustion, sat on the porch steps and continued to stare at Jeongguk as he raced up and down the shoreline with Aran. He was smiling, even though he didn’t realize it.

Hayoon sat next to Jimin and gently placed a hot mug in his hands. She leaned into him and placed her head on his shoulder. “We don’t agree. But that’s ok. I didn’t mean to hurt you. And you were right, I should have never brought mom into this.”

“You’re apologizing?” Jimin kissed the top of her head as she rested it on his shoulder.

“No. I said we don’t agree but that’s ok. I accept the fact that maybe there’s more than one point of view on this.”

“What changed your mind?”

“Him.” Hayoon smiled as she heard Jeongguk’s raucous laughter. “The guy who’s just a client. If he’s really just a client…then…your services are making him very happy. A couple of years ago, he couldn’t even speak due to his trauma. Now look at him.” Jeongguk laughed again as he pulled the wind swept Aran back to the ground after he and his kite was once again lifted into the air. “Maybe…for some people…your snake oil really does make a difference,” Hayoon painfully admitted. “I don’t know what to think. But I do know that what you’re doing is dangerous. Just be careful, little brother. I love you too much to see you get hurt.”

***

Hayoon insisted that Jeongguk place his Mini Christmas tree next to the fireplace. To accommodate their guest, all of them embraced just a little bit of the Christmas spirit. It all had great meaning to Jeongguk and seeing him happy seemed to satisfy all of them. He placed modest gifts for each of them underneath the tree while also including the gift that Jimin had given to him. With stubborn determination, he still hadn’t opened it, saving it for Christmas day.

Jimin kept his promise to Aran and included him in all of the activities with Jeongguk. From shopping, to digging for shells, to visiting lighthouses in Cheongsapo, the little one stuck to them like glue. For Jimin it was a relief because Aran served as a buffer between him and his growing intimate feelings for Jeongguk. 

The two were so good together; laughing at the same jokes, sharing the same childhood memories, basking in the same hidden charms of Busan. At times, Jimin found himself dreaming about the possibility of Jeongguk truly belonging to him while raising a child of their own. It was a ridiculous thought that he couldn’t shake. He felt increasingly confused as he tried to keep his attachment in check. But the simple truth was that he wanted him. He felt like his forever person, a feeling that terrified him because of what it would mean if he pursued it.

***

 

Christmas Eve should have been just another day, but Jimin wasn’t going to allow it to pass without presenting a very special gift to Jeongguk. A rare event known as the Buyeo Sky Banner was visiting Busan for two days only. It was originally sold out, but at the last minute, an opening became available and Jimin booked it right away. It was the perfect way to spend a little time alone without Aran tagging along. Jimin was confident that he could behave for a day without using his nephew as his chaperone.

It was early morning before the sun had even risen when he crept into Jeongguk’s guest bedroom to wake him. He sat on the edge of the bed and gently shook Jeongguk’s shoulder. He was disappointed to see that once again, Jeongguk was wearing pajamas.

“Hey, wake up. Wake up,” he whispered.

Jeongguk opened one eye, “Mmkay, this is real and not a dream right?”

“Real.”

Jeongguk yawned, “What’s up? Is everything ok? The sun isn’t even up yet.”

“Everything is great,” Jimin stood to his feet and began to salsa dance, “I have a surprise for you. A Christmas present.”

“You already gave me a Christmas present. It’s under the tree, remember?”

“Oh, but this one is sooo much better,” Jimin moaned with excitement as he continued to dance seductively around Jeongguk’s room.

“Well what is it? And can I wait until tomorrow to open it?”

“Get up. Get dressed. I’ll make you a cup of espresso. Meet you in the kitchen fully dressed in ten minutes.”

“But…but…what are we doing? What’s the surprise?”

“It’s a surprise!” Jimin laughed as he ran from Jeongguk’s room.”

***

Chapter Index

Chapter Six - Hot Air, Cold Air, No Air

Chapter Six: Hot Air, Cold Air, No Air

🍀16,190
🍀NSFW 21+ please
🍀Too much sex, after years of slow burn, they finally get ALL of it in
🍀Graphic depictions of violence
🍀First times, deep feelings. Could this be love?

🌟One more of Author's favorite. The love that Jimin has for Jeongguk really starts to be seen and understood.  This is another long chapter, so please settle in and have a spot of tea. Blueberry is my favorite. What's yours?

_________________________

Christmas Eve - Two days into Jimin and Jeongguk’s vacation

 

Jimin drove into a large empty field. He parked before grabbing a picnic basket full of food that he’d packed the evening before. There were no other cars around and the area was secluded. Clad in heavy coats, gloves, scarves and hats, they held hands as Jimin led him up a steep hill.

“Where are we? Why are we here?” Jeongguk asked.

“This is your surprise.”

“An empty field? I trust you…but I’m concerned. But I trust you,” Jeongguk laughed. It was still dark outside and he could barely see where they were going. “Shouldn’t we wait until the sun rises? Then we’ll be able to see better,” Jeongguk said worryingly.

“You said you trusted me.”

“I do.”

“Well, be quiet and…trust.”

 

As the two rounded the hill, a large glowing sphere sat gently in the dew-kissed grass. It was a hot air balloon. The sight was mesmerizing, a beacon of warmth and light against the velvet darkness of the sky.  Vibrant panels caught the intermittent roar of the propane burners which sent brilliant golden flames upwards, illuminating the hot air balloon from within. The light spilled softly over the wicker basket below, casting gentle shadows and highlighting the curves of the woven structure.  

The enormity of the balloon increased with each meter they grew closer to it. It stood at least 24 meters, fully inflated like an ethereal beast vibrating against the sky. Jeongguk’s eyes widened as his breath hitched. 

“Wow. Is that for us?” He whirled around to stare at Jimin. “We’re going on a hot air balloon ride?”

“Yep. It’s just for us. This is your surprise. Now hurry. The sun is due to rise in a few minutes.”

A lone individual stood in the darkness in front of the massive balloon. He waved as soon as he saw Jimin and Jeongguk crest the hill. “Mr. Park, good morning. You’re right on time. Your ride is expected to last two hours. You’ll have plenty of privacy because I’ll be controlling your balloon remotely from the ground in addition to your onboard auto pilot. If we’ve timed it correctly, the sun should begin to rise just as you hit your max altitude.”

After a very quick safety session, Jimin and Jeongguk were ushered on board through a door in the large basket. The basket began to move almost immediately after they stepped inside. With their hands intertwined, they lifted off. The faint hum of the burner above them punctuated the quiet dawn. Slowly, the world below them shrank into a patchwork of shadows and rolling hills as the first gleam of light cracked through the sky’s surface.

Jeongguk leaned into Jimin, his cheek brushing against the softness of Jimin’s porcelain skin. He couldn’t even find the words to express what this trip meant to him. But it was just as well because the moment was so majestic, that it called for silence. 

Both nodded towards the horizon where the sun slowly peeked over a distant ridge, spilling molten light across the landscape. Jeongguk’s warm eyes crinkled with a smile, “The horizon is beautifully exquisite. Almost as beautiful as you,” he teased, voice low and sultry. 

They laughed softly, the sound of their voices mingling with the breeze. Jimin pulled Jeongguk closer, wrapping his arms around his waist. The burner flared, casting a warm flicker over their faces. They marveled at the developing skyline just as much as they marveled at each other. 

“I’ve never felt this free,” Jeongguk murmured. 

As the sun climbed higher, painting the sky in vibrant hues of coral and lavender, the balloon floated over a bed of clouds. The sunrise bathed them in warmth while the horizon stretched endlessly before them. They moved closer together with their eyes gobbling up every view in every direction. They had never embraced each other as tightly as they did at that moment. The world felt theirs alone with no expectations and no boundaries. 

For the first hour, they barely spoke, choosing instead to marvel at the scenery below. Airplanes jetted smoothly across the marbled sky, leaving condensation trails behind like long strings of tears. The wind whistled in their ears as the massive balloon continued peacefully along its trajectory towards the sea. This was the moment that love was birthed. They could both feel it, like an invisible rope lassoed tightly around them, squeezing their souls together.

 

They were suspended in perfection as they leaned in for a passionate kiss. Jimin’s fingers wove through Jeongguk’s dark tresses. Goose pimples erupted over their skin as the air around them grew warmer and warmer with each pulse of the burner. The world below faded, leaving them isolated with neither of them strong enough to regulate their passion. 

Fire that burned above them, lifting the balloon along its path, sent a concentrated wave downwards, heating the air within the basket. They noticed it right away. It was like standing under a roaring fireplace. Before they knew it, they were sweating. They hovered near the outer borders of the basket just to cool off but their bodies were still hot, in more ways than one. 

The combination of the heat, the view, the romanticism and their dogged attraction pushed them too far. They pulled free of their coats, as sweat trickled down their backs and foreheads. Their hands found each other naturally, brushing along each other’s backs in search of the ultimate satisfaction. The gentle sway of the  basket mirrored the rhythm of their fondling. With their chests pulled tightly together, fingers brushed delicately over their excited nipples, and lips locked in a satisfying kiss, their sexual arousal ignited. 

There was love in their gaze as the kisses continued. Roughly they rubbed each other’s crotches, attempting to satisfy the growing urge to fuck 920 meters above the sea. Their cocks battled between them, desperate to break free of the clothing that bound them. Both of them could feel the moment blooming beyond their control, forcing them to pull back slightly; foreheads resting together, breathing each other’s air, eyes closed for fear of falling even deeper. 

The brief respite allowed them time to think about what they were doing. The reverent touches, the soft gasps of their shared breath and the steady glow of the sun pushed them back into the moment. Jimin grabbed the front of Jeongguk’s pants and unbuckled them. He pushed the pants down to Jeongguk’s knees and then spun him around, forcing his body hard against the wefts of the wicker basket. Burying his lips into the nape of Jeongguk’s neck, he kissed it mercilessly from behind. His hands climbed up his shirt, cradling his hard nipples between his fingers.

Jeongguk felt a tight squeeze around his crotch as Jimin pleasured him with the palm of his hand. He stroked him crudely, extending Jeongguk’s erection even further down his leg. With a lick of his palm, he jerked Jeongguk’s shaft up and down to the point of almost driving him to climax.

“Take me, right now. Right here,” Jeongguk panted. He had not given himself permission to beg to be fucked, but it happened.

Jimin was already there. He held his own rigid cock in his hand, slathering it with his saliva. He didn’t consciously plan to do it. His actions were driven by pure lust and need. There was nothing he could do to fuck him gently. It had to be rough. It had to be hard. It had to fulfill them both. His lips quivered with the anticipation of burying his cock inside of him.  

Jeongguk could hear the unzipping of Jimin’s pants. He braced himself by grabbing the outer rim of the basket. Never in a million years did he anticipate being raw dogged in a hot air balloon, but he wanted it, more than almost anything he’d ever wanted in his life. He leaned over the edge of the hot air balloon, ready to feed his ass to Jimin’s cock. His knuckles whitened as his grip tightened. The shakiness in his legs could not be controlled because Jimin’s hard, sporadic entry hurt. 

Jeongguk called out to the sky, “Fuck!” 

He inhaled deeply as Jimin gripped his hair and forced his head back so that he could run his fingers up and down his jugular vein. The elder pushed all the way through without stopping until his massively elongated dick was deeply embedded in the center of the younger’s body. It was better that way, to endure the pain up front so the ride would be smooth. 

The stinging pressure was so intense that Jeongguk felt as if he might throw up. It had been years since someone the size of Jimin shoved their cock up his ass. He wanted to love it, he wanted to push back on it, but he needed a moment to adjust. Just as soon as Jimin seated himself, Jeongguk could feel the tip of his shaft protruding into his stomach. 

With a gentle periodicity, Jimin began to fuck him. He curled behind him, whispering beautiful words into his ear, “I need you so much. Fuck you feel so good. You’re so beautiful,” His words were like sobs of pleasure, with lustful groans in between. It was apparent that he’d wanted this forever. 

Jeongguk felt the air being forced out of his body as Jimin slammed into him over and over again in a dry turbulent fuck. But Jimin’s pleasured yelps aroused him, causing his cock to twitch and fill with cum. In the midst of the intense pressure, a climax was slowly rising. He found himself shifting from wanting the painful fuck to end, to immediately wanting it deeper and faster…forever.

The hot air balloon soared through the sky, moving quickly over the ground. It glowed in the sunlight, a single rainbow colored orb, shielding them under the auspice of intimacy from the world below.

Jimin’s thrusts were short and choppy, but satiating. He clapped against Jeongguk at an ever increasing pace as he filled his nostrils with his cherry blossom scent. That was his final memory before his mind went blank. 

“Can I cum inside?” He grunted. 

Jeongguk leaned further over the side of the basket, causing it to tilt slightly under the force of Jimin’s thrusts. More sweat flowed over their faces as the heat of the burner bore down over them. 

“Shit, you f-f-f-feel s-s-s-so fucking good. Fuck!” Jimin practically climbed his back, he fucked him so hard. 

Jimin’s eyes rolled to the back of his head as his cock began to pulsate. With Jeongguk gripped tightly in his arms, he pulled him to the floor of the basket before wrapping his legs around him in a vice grip. The meat of his mushroom capped tip jack-hammered the rim of Jeongguk’s ass until he released a stream of cum that eventually flooded the tight space and pooled beneath them. He defiantly parked his seed like a territorial alpha claiming the man he adored. 

 

The two disappeared from view. Anyone watching the beautifully colored balloon fly overhead would simply assume it was empty. But hidden in quiet supplication from the world, were two newly minted lovers drowning in the afterglow of the perfect hook up at the perfect moment. They continued to kiss atop of their fallen coats.

“Did I hurt you?” Jimin said softly.

“Hell yes. It was so bad that I almost jumped,” Jeongguk teased.

“Don’t say that. Really? I never meant to…,” 

“…I’m kidding,” Jeongguk interrupted before Jimin took him too seriously, “Well not about the pain but, I never had any plans to jump,” Jeongguk laughed gleefully. “Seriously, you felt incredible. It’s been a long time since I’ve been with someone. I’m so happy it was you.”

“How badly are you hurt?”

“Welp, my hole’s been exit-only for three years. Now suddenly I’m dealing with no lube, no twirling little fingers, just massive dick bumping. I can’t see back there but I imagine it’s pretty bad.”

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean for it to be that way. And uh, calling me massive is a bit of an exaggeration.”

“Just a bit,” Jeongguk pulled Jimin towards him to kiss him quiet. “Don’t apologize. You just made love to me while we were floating over the ocean in a hot air balloon. I should be thanking you. That’s a memory I’ll never forget.”

Jimin sucked two of his fingers and then inserted them gently into his client to examine the damage. Jeongguk released an unexpected moan. It was soft and sensual and made Jimin’s dick hard again. He continued to massage him. In the ultimate act of selflessness, he slid down Jeongguks body and found his cock with his mouth. Without any unnecessary words, he began to suck him, puckering the pink flesh of his lips around the younger’s swollen tip. The basket of the hot air balloon shook mildly as Jimin worked him.  He was painfully aware that Jeongguk hadn’t had an orgasm even though he came close. He continued to throb his fingers against his entrance despite the tiny droplets of blood that stained them. He wanted nothing more than to bring him pleasure amidst his wealth of pain. 

The sky was a brilliant blue with the sun fully risen. As they huddled in the belly of the basket, Jeongguk stared blankly at the flame above them. He could see hints of the blue sky all around them, despite being sprawled on the bottom, getting finger fucked while his dick was sucked. The sounds of Jimin’s mouth, slurping and gulping, caused his bottom lip to quiver. He rotated his hips against Jimin’s small fingers as they invaded his entrance, stroking his rim and tickling his balls. Eyes blinking rapidly, his vision went blurry. The sensation growing within his legs and stomach possessed him. Warm spit trickled down his shaft. With both hands, he grabbed clumps of Jimin’s blonde hair and pushed himself clear to the back of his elder’s throat. It was there where his cock squirted his thick cum. Jimin continued to milk him, while still playing in his ass. Jeongguk felt his breathing slow as he finished. He pulled Jimin up to his mouth and kissed his own cum away.

It had been years since anyone made him climax, especially that hard. He couldn’t even remember the last man who had done it. But suddenly Jimin was in his life, doing it regularly. 

Throughout his tenure in the mental institution, Jeongguk was celibate, mentally unable to even stroke his own dick. So naturally, with Jimin being the first man in years to pull an orgasm out of him, the bond was instantly impenetrable. He knew at that moment that he would remember Jimin forever.

 

They couldn’t even stand because of the physical exertion of taking each other.  So for as long as their hearts desired, they rested on the bottom of the basket, locked in each other’s embrace. The balloon drifted on, carrying them through the morning sky, with both of their hearts bound and tethered forever to the moment. 

***

The basket touched down about thirty minutes later. Both of them were saddened to see such a transformative moment come to an end. They didn’t give much thought to all of the things that had happened because, oftentimes, thinking came with regrets. They wanted to enjoy their experience and seize the rest of their day before the nasty consequences of crossing the line caught up with them. 

Jeongguk tucked his shirt in and buckled his belt. He tried his best to not look as if his guts had just been rearranged. Fucking in a hot air balloon was a bit depraved and they worried about someone finding out.

Once again the lone operator stood there waiting for their return. He rushed to open the basket as he welcomed them back to the ground, “Smooth sailing I hope. I tracked your path the entire time, you had great weather.”

The two of them tried to act nonchalant as they exited. Everything that happened in the sky had to remain their closely guarded secret, even though they wanted to scream about it to anyone who would listen.

“The weather was perfect.” Jimin tossed the man a large tip. “I’ll make sure to leave an excellent review. This was one of the best experiences of my life.” 

***

 

The rest of the day was spent huddled on the beach in front of the fire pit. Away from the blasting heat of the hot air balloon lantern, the temperatures were chilly again. They had the entire beach to themselves as Jimin stoked the fire in regular intervals. 

They felt like magnets, unable to break apart even for a moment. Jimin found a stack of pillows in the back of his truck and placed them underneath Jeongguk’s ass so that he could sit comfortably in the sand. The flood gates were open and all they wanted to do was lay in each other’s arms with plentiful kisses and swirling tongues. 

They talked about many things that mattered and many more things that didn’t. But there was one topic in particular, Jimin hadn’t managed to tackle. 

“How did it go? Your last session. Did Hobi start on time? Did you like Jihyo’s dress? Was it everything you ever imagined? Did it meet your expectations?”

Jeongguk unleashed a smile that made his eyes dance. His white teeth sparkled as his pink tongue brushed the inner corner of his mouth. “It was amazing. It was everything I wanted. You did a fantastic job with all of the details. Jihyo looked like a Goddess. And you introduced her as Maestra. She appreciated that. We talked about so many things, including you. She really likes you, Jimin.”

“She’s programmed to like me, Jeongguk. Most of that is just CHLOE’S script. You should be used to that by now,” Jimin tried to level set.

Jeongguk continued, ignoring Jimin’s clarification, “I got to tell her some really important stuff. I feel so settled and so peaceful. My God Jimin, you’re the best consultant in that place. There’s no one as skilled as you. I’m very lucky to have you on my side. Thank you for all of the work you put into bringing my sister to me every week. Oh, and our concert was recorded so you have my permission to watch it whenever you like. It was a pleasure to play her cello, but no one can play it the way that she can. I told her that I was just babysitting it until the day I can give it back to her. We’ll play together again, soon.”

Jimin was surprised to hear Jeongguk speak that way. Never before had he mentioned anything about meeting up with Jihyo or giving her the cello back. Previously, his young client had always understood that Jihyo wasn’t real. At least that’s what Jimin assumed. It worried him a bit to hear Jeongguk suggest that they would soon see each other again. It was a good time to suggest that he sell the cello for cash to pay for more sessions. But he couldn’t bring himself to do it. It just felt gross. He gently corrected him, “You mean in the simulation? She was able to use her cello in the simulation.”

“Yea, sure. That’s what I meant.” Jeongguk rubbed his hands in front of the fire. He moved on, “Jimin, may I ask you something very…personal?”

“Well, based on what I did to you a few hours ago in that hot air balloon, I would say that we have no secrets at this point. So sure, ask me anything.” He laughed.

Jeongguk paused. He looked towards the sky as the familiar sun lowered behind a cloud, “Why haven’t you used Second Chances to bring your mother back?”

Jimin was not prepared for that question. Emotional pain immediately swept across his face. The topic of Jimin’s mother being reconjured through Second Chances was a sensitive and frightening topic for him, especially considering the blow up he’d had with his sister. He gave an overly simplified response in order to avoid spending too much time talking about it.

“I can’t afford it. You were lucky to have Nara fighting for you. She gave you a life-saving gift. I had no one to lift me from my grief. I had to heal the old fashioned way.”

“Are you…really healed? I wonder sometimes, how you’re really doing. The night I played my cello for you, I could see your pain. It was palpable. That was not something I expected, which was why I panicked a little bit. Again I ask, do you really think you’re healed?”

“It’s been ten years. If I’m not healed, then what am I?” 

“In your own state of Caesura. Not able to go back, not able to move forward, just stuck. Maybe we have even more in common than we realize,” Jeongguk hinted.

Jimin had never considered himself as unhealed. So much time had passed, that he just assumed that the grief was behind him. But just the mention of his mother brought back horrible impulses, voices that told him to do bad things just to numb the pain. He had to be healed, ten years was enough.

“I’m fine. She was my mother so it’s natural to struggle with her memory from time to time.” Jimin paused before making the decision to share more of his story. “My mother had multiple sclerosis. And near the end she developed Parkinsons. The two of them together were so cruel to her. She just didn’t have the strength to fight them off. Her own body attacked her and I couldn’t stand to watch it happen, so I got drunk. Or high. The night she died, she called me. I knew it was the end, but I was too much of a coward to say goodbye. I didn’t go to her bedside. I told myself that she was fine. I never spoke to her again. The next day, she was gone. I wasn’t there for her when she needed me the most. I never had a chance to tell her that I was sorry. That’s my biggest regret. It haunts me.”

“She forgives you,” Jeongguk said simply. “She understood you like no one else. It’s just an innate skill that parents have; to forgive, to see past our flaws, to understand the inner tinkering of our minds. It’s just what they do. I believe she died knowing exactly how much you loved her. I also believe that she knew you couldn’t handle saying goodbye, not back then. “I recognize your pain. I’ve been there. I held it in for so long that it eventually took my voice and my mind. Let the guilt go. It’s the only way to move on.” Jeongguk nodded.

Jimin felt a weight lift from his shoulders. It was the same feeling that he had when Jeongguk first played his cello for him. Emancipation. Freedom from the graveyard of guilt. A different road to peace that he had not yet traveled. It suddenly occurred to him for the first time, there was still emotional residue from his mother’s death. He wasn’t healed and Jeongguk made him see it. What he thought was healing was really just numbness; years of tiptoeing around the real problem.

Jeongguk pulled a blanket from his bag and sat behind Jimin, straddling his legs on either side of his body. They cuddled together under the blanket and continued the tough conversation.

Jimin still thought about Jeongguk’s question on why he hadn’t used Second Chances, “I don’t think it’s right for me. Second Chances. But maybe I’ll consider some therapy just to have someone to talk to.” He did his best to shut it down, even though Jeongguk’s words stung with relevance and accuracy.

The lines between Park Jimin the consultant and Park Jimin the person were blurred as fuck. He could already feel the conflicted crossover of their conversations. Making love only added to the complexity of their dynamic.

 

Jeongguk pivoted and shared more of his inner thoughts, “I don’t think I need therapy anymore. I was thinking about ending my appointments with Dr. Yuri. My life is whole again. I’ve got you, I’ve got Jihyo. I’ve got a job that pays the bills. I don’t need anything else.”

Jimin turned and looked at Jeongguk with a stunned expression. Every scorched earth, vitriolic warning that Hayoon had given Jimin flooded his brain. Jeongguk’s words seemed to play right into her theory that Second Chances was doing more harm to him than good. Jimin didn’t understand what was happening. It was as if Jeongguk was suddenly confusing his reality. There were too many references to the simulation being real. Making matters worse, once again Jeongguk was down-talking therapy, the one constant in his life that could heal him. It felt regressive and that frightened Jimin so much that he lashed out.

“None of it is real. You know this Jeongguk. We’re offering you a fantasy, a make believe simulation to help dull your pain. My mother is never coming back. Jihyo is never coming back. Her cello belongs to you now. In fact, you should sell it. The memories are too painful. Just get rid of it,” Jimin said in jest. “Tell me you understand what I’m saying. Please Jeongguk.”

Jeongguk laughed. “Ok, I need you to calm down. I’m ok. Both you and Dr. Yuri need a reality check. News flash Jimin, there’s no big hairy dramatic psychotic breakdown looming in the darkness. I misspoke. It happens. But can you blame me? You put my twin sister in my face every week, with flesh as real as mine, and a voice identical to hers. She has her laugh and her smile. She has her wit and sense of humor. She even knows our deepest, fondest memories. You can’t freak out if I accidentally refer to her as still being,” Jeongguk paused. It almost pained him to say the word, “...alive.” He blew a breath. “And as for my sister’s cello, no one will ever pry it from my cold dead hands. It’s my only link to her and I’ll never let it go. We’ll find another way to keep Jihyo with me.”

Jimin apologized right away, “I’m sorry. You’re right, I’m the one who needs a reality check. For months now, my biggest fear has been accidentally causing you to regress. You’ve never given me any reason to believe that could happen. I’m sorry for not believing in you. It’s my frailty, not yours.” 

***

 

By the time they reached Hayoon’s house, the sun was setting. They had come full circle from where they had started earlier that same morning. The day passed so quickly that they felt as if they had only been gone for a few hours. It was more proof that they were each other’s favorite person. 

They strolled through the door holding hands. Despite the chilly temperatures, their faces had been kissed by the sun causing them to be several shades tanner. They made their way inside and brushed the sand from their heavy coats. There was cum splashed across random surfaces of their clothes. They did their best to hide them but they truly didn’t care.

Someone had added clear lights to Jeongguk’s little Christmas tree, removing the broken colored lights that twinkled with uncertainty. He and Jimin were sure it was the work of Aran and Hayoon. 

Hayoon rushed from the kitchen to welcome them back, “Hey you two. It’s about time you returned. I thought I was going to have to send a search party for you. You missed dinner and the kitchen is now clos…,” her words were cut short by a sudden observation.

Jeongguk moved slowly, not realizing how pronounced his limp appeared. He tiptoed gingerly across the den and refused to sit. “Thank you Hayoon. It’s ok about dinner. I’m stuffed anyway. Jimin has been uh…feeding me all day.” His eyes met Jimin’s with a knowing glance. “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going to grab a shower.”

Jimin stared at him with heart eyes. He could hardly contain his adoration. He was smiling, even though he didn’t realize it. “I’ll stop by later to say goodnight.”

“I’m sure you will,” Jeongguk called out as he disappeared down the hallway.

 

Before Jimin knew it, Hayoon was attacking him with her slipper, “What did you do? WHAT. DID. YOU. DO. Did you fuck him? Youuuuuuu fucked him!”

“What? What are you talking about? Besides, is that really your business? And stop saying that word before Aran hears you. That’s all I need is for him to talk about fucking all day tomorrow.”

“I want you to be happy. I really do. But after everything I warned you about the other day, you still did this? What are you thinking? Oh, I can answer that for you. You’re not thinking. Big Jimin is on vacation while little Jimin is sticking his head in places he doesn’t belong!”

Hayoon was frantic but Jimin couldn’t hold his laughter. He looked down at his dick, assuming that was the ‘little Jimin’ she was referring to. “You’re imagining things.”

“Don’t you dare gaslight me.” She slapped him in the arm with the soft sole of her tiny slipper, “I know a Jimin attack when I see one. He’s not the first man you sent limping towards the showers.”

“Hayoon! I’m going to need you to clean up this entire conversation right now. It’s too much for my sensitive nature and my innocent ears. Nothing happened. Jeongguk is fine. We spent hours sitting on the beach on hard sand and he’s a little sore. Nothing more. Goodnight.” Jimin (and little Jimin) sauntered down the hallway, infuriating Hayoon even further.

***

 

The house was whisper quiet. Still. Dark with nothing but the moonlight glowing through the large windows. Everyone had gone to bed early. Everyone was exhausted from the day’s events, especially Jimin and Jeongguk who’d been awake since before dawn. Despite it being only 11:55pm, everyone had been asleep for hours. 

Jeongguk’s alarm sounded. It was low, so that only he could hear it. He couldn’t wait any longer. It was time and he was excited. He snuck into the den where his little Christmas tree stood and grabbed the gift that he’d purchased for Jimin. Quietly, gift in hand, he snuck into Jimin’s room. 

The sexy blonde was peacefully sleeping, his chest gently rising and falling with each of his beautiful breaths. Jeongguk walked to the other side of the bed and crawled in next to him. Jimin knew without knowing that it was Jeongguk. He turned to his side and spooned him, welcoming him into his bed.

“What took you so long?” He whispered to Jeongguk’s surprise.

“You knew I would come?”

“Yea. It’s…,” he checked his phone, “...five minutes until Christmas and that’s a very special day for you,” Jimin said sleepily.

“You have to open your gift, as soon as the clock strikes midnight,” Jeongguk explained.

“Well you have to open yours too. It’s right here,” Jimin handed Jeongguk’s ornately wrapped gift to him - the same one that Jeongguk had refused to open for over a week. 

“You first.” Jeongguk watched the clock count down. He waited until exactly midnight before placing Jimin’s gift on his chest. “Ok, now.”

“You’re so cute. Sure. I’ll go first.” Jimin sat up and turned on the lamp. He untangled the perfect bow and slipped it from the box. He pulled the box open and a large sketchbook with fancy Prisma coloring pencils fell out of it. “Oh Jeongguk. I love it.”

“You really seem to come alive when you sketch. I hope you never stop drawing. It’s a side of you that I feel belongs exclusively to me because I’m the one who sees it most often. You have raw talent. And whenever you want, you can call me and I’ll come over and let you practice drawing my eyes.” Jeongguk kissed Jimin gently on the lips. “It’s not much, but I don’t have much. Just know that…well I don’t have the money that you do. My life is very different from when I was younger and my parents were still alive,”

“Oh no no no, you don’t have to apologize. You have something worth much more than money, you have a heart as big as any I’ve ever seen. Don’t ever apologize to me for that. Money doesn’t mean anything.”

“You sure about that?” Jeongguk laughed. He knew all too well about Jimin’s love of designer clothes and fancy watches.

“I’m sure.”

“Now it’s your turn.” Jimin said with enthusiasm, “Open my gift to you. I hope you like it.”

Jeongguk gripped the box delicately. The paper was beautiful, black and white stripes with a large red bow. He didn’t want to damage it, yet he was too impatient to move carefully. Jimin sensed he was trying to be cautious and dragged his hand down the center, ripping it completely open. He laughed.

“Gee thanks,” Jeongguk kissed him again. He slid the box open, eyes glistening with excitement. Whatever it was, it was incredibly light. He twisted through the tissue paper until he reached the bottom. And there it was. His eyes locked open - in horror.

“It’s an original. Sheet music by Mozart. It’s in his own handwriting, with his signature and margin notes and everything. It’s Orchestra No.1 in B-flat. I know how much you love Mozart. This one was sold to an auction house in Japan twenty years ago. Somehow it ended up in a museum here in Korea and…,” Jimin noticed Jeongguk’s horrific expression. He didn’t know what to make of it or why he looked so upset. “Don’t you like it?”

Jeongguk threw the box and backed away. He walked backwards away from the bed until his back jammed against the wall. There he cowered in the corner, muffling his screams by holding his large palm over his mouth. All of the blood had drained from his face, leaving him pale.

“What is it? Jeongguk, what’s wrong?” Jimin frantically tried to calm him. He looked around the room for the source of what had freaked him out. “Is it this? Is it the sheet music? You don’t have to accept it. I can send it back or donate it to charity. Please, speak to me. What’s wrong?”

Jeongguk was unable to speak. Jimin ran out of the room and returned within seconds with a bottle of water. “Drink this. Talk to me. Please Jeongguk, speak. Don’t do this. Don’t clam up on me. Talk to me, tell me what’s wrong.” By this time, five minutes had passed without Jeongguk saying a word. “Fuck! Fuck!” Jimin tore through his luggage looking for Dr. Yuri’s business card. Something was happening to Jeongguk and it was something very bad. He could see the fear in his eyes. Somehow, the gift had triggered him. 

Jimin couldn’t find Dr. Yuri’s card, nor did he have her number in his phone. Out of pure fear and frustration, he began to cry. He threw his clothes all around the room as he frantically searched for the notebook that held her number. Another five minutes of searching revealed that he didn’t have it.

He ran back to Jeongguk to try again to pull him out of it,  “Jeonggukie, please. Please. PLEASE! Be ok. Be ok.” Jimin wrapped his arms around him and held him so close that he could feel his heart beat. He continued to repeat, “Be ok. I’m here. I’m here. Whatever it is, we’ll face it together.” Jimin was at a loss for what to do. His only idea was to drive Jeongguk to Second Chances to see if baking him in the simulator could stop the regression before it was too late. He rocked back and forth with Jeongguk in his arms. “I’m here. I’m here. We’ll get through this together. You just have to talk to me. Tell me what’s going on. Please, I can help you baby. I can help you.” He continued to cry as Jeongguk’s large doe eyes slowly transitioned into nothingness. “Baby noooo, no. Look at me. Look at me.” He slapped Jeongguk several times on the cheek and stood right in his face. “Look at me. Don’t do this. Don’t do this. Don’t withdraw, ignore the music. Listen to my voice, you can hear me baby. You’re always safe with me. Always. I’ll always protect you. I-I-I love you.”

Jeongguk’s eyes shifted to look at Jimin. He still held his hand over his mouth as tears dripped from his eyes. To Jimin’s great relief, he spoke, “I have to tell you. I’ve kept this hidden for far too long. I have to tell you…how I lost her.”

“How you lost her?” Jimin was so flustered that he didn’t immediately understand what Jeongguk was talking about. “Good, baby. Tell me anything. Anything, I’ll listen. This is a safe place, I’m your safe place. Just talk to me.” 

“That’s my sheet music. I’m the original owner. My sister’s blood is on the back to prove it.”

Jimin looked back at the sheets scattered all over the bed. He could see faint brown stains that looked like faded blood. None of it made sense, but he had a feeling it was related to what happened to Jihyo; the best kept secret in all of Korea. Nara had everything scrubbed from public record so that even CHLOE couldn’t find it. But there was only one person alive who knew the truth about what happened to that beautiful girl, and it was her twin brother. Jimin had the feeling that he was about to learn the true story behind Jeongguk’s cataclysmic trauma. He forced the younger to take a few sips of water.

 Jeongguk’s broad shoulders hunched as he rocked slightly, his fingers digging into his palms. His face was contorted with raw grief - and horror. 

Jimin ushered him to the bed. He held him in his arms and urged him to keep talking, “This sheet music once belonged to you?”

Jeongguk was slow with his words but it was ok. As long as he kept talking and continued to engage, that was all that mattered. “It was my fault. She’s dead because of me.”

“That’s not possible. No matter what happened, none of it was because of you,” Jimin leaned in, his expression soft but firm.

“That sheet music is the reason that Jihyo was murdered.”

“Murdered? Your sister was murdered?” Jimin tried to hide the shock in his voice. He knew Jihyo had passed away but he assumed it was due to an illness or an accident. “Nara never told me the full story of what happened to her.”

“She was murdered, she was murdered and I let it happen. I didn’t save her. I failed her.”

Jimin realized too late that maybe talking about it wasn’t such a good idea after all. This was a pivotal moment and he had no idea how to gently guide Jeongguk through it without creating more trauma. “Ok, maybe we shouldn’t talk about this right now. Maybe we need Dr. Yuri here to guide you...”

“I have to tell you. I have to. I have to tell someone. I’ve never told anyone what happened.” Jeongguk clawed at his skin as if it were covered with maggots. The memory, whatever it was, was so powerful that he physically reacted.

“Fine, ok, whatever you want. I’m here to listen. This is a safe place. I’m your safe place. I love you.” He said it again to emphasize his commitment, especially since Jeongguk seemed to react positively to it.

“She’s my identical twin Jimin. I can’t even explain to you the bond we shared. When she hurt, I hurt. When she was sad, I was sad. And when she died, I died.” 

The account of Jeongguk’s story was all over the place. Jimin did what he could to keep up.“Her loss was tragic. But you’re still here. You’re ok. Just tell me as much as you can. We can stop whenever you need to stop.” Jimin was able to calm him for the moment. But Jeongguk still continued to rock back and forth as he plunged head first into the middle earth of his trauma.

He continued, “We were in Japan, working through our concert series. It was sold out, all 120 performances, in fifteen different countries, over nine months. She and I were shocked at how popular the series became. Everyone wanted to see the twin siblings play together. By the time the tour started, we were the two most famous Cellists in the industry, in the world. I was more renowned than she, not because I was more talented, but because I was lucky. Despite her incredible talent, she never got the recognition she deserved while she was alive. But it wasn’t about fame or fortune for her; it was about the music. She still performed next to me, never once complaining about me earning the title Maestro. And it was during our last night in Japan that it happened.”

“Take your time,” Jimin gave Jeongguk another sip of water.

“It was two days before Christmas and we were scheduled to fly home. We finished the concert, stopped quickly at the hotel to grab our luggage and then headed straight for the airport. We were so excited to see Grandma Nara. It had been months since we’d been home and it was supposed to be our first visit for the holidays.” Jeongguk took another water break. He continued, “I was driving. But as we got closer to the airport, I realized that I’d left my sheet music in my hotel room. Very expensive originals, the very same sheet music that you have in that box. I was the original purchaser from the auction house in Japan.”

Jimin gasped, “I didn’t know. Oh Jeongguk, I didn’t know.”

“There’s no way you could have known.” Jeongguk glanced painfully at the blood stains that still bordered the edges of the weathered paper. “Naturally, I wasn’t going to leave Japan without it. So I turned around and headed back to the hotel. Jihyo didn’t mind. We had plenty of time to catch our flight. I flew down the highway, never realizing that we were being followed.”

“Followed, by who?”

Jeongguk couldn’t bring himself to talk about that part, not yet. “I was only gone for five minutes. That’s how long it took for me to run upstairs, grab my music and run back to the car. Five minutes.”

“Who, Jeongguk? Who was following you?” 

Jeongguk was in every bit of a manic state. The more of the story he recounted, the more unnerving his behavior became. He was shivering and his eyes jetted all around the room. He refused to even look in the direction of his cursed Christmas gift. Jimin placed a blanket around him to try to keep him from jumping out of his skin. All he had to give him was a bottle of water and an abundance of patience and love. He prayed it would be enough.

“Jihyo had a stalker. His name was Dong Seok, some dude we knew from high school. I never had classes with him, so I didn’t know him well. But apparently they knew each other from clubs or something. He had a crush on her way back then, but it wasn’t reciprocated. She never felt anything for him. He was just a friend - if you could even call him that - more of an acquaintance. Once Jihyo hit it big in the music world, she became a featured Cellist with almost every local Opera house. Her star rose so quickly that she became a household name. We think that’s when he started to notice her. It started harmlessly. He came to every local concert, no matter where she was performing. At first, she was flattered. She considered him a super fan. She gave him autographs, merch, everything that you would give to a loyal fan. But then things started to get weird. He started to linger after concerts. He would show up at the airport at the same time her flights were due to leave. He would ask for autographs and pretend that their meetings were coincidental. But she knew better. Every restaurant, he was there. And even scarier, he knew what hotels she was staying in. No matter what country she was in, he found her. Several times he showed up while she was eating dinner with her orchestra members. He’d bring flowers and stuffed animals and other shit that she always refused to accept. She became frightened of him. Her friends convinced her to call the police and that’s when his behavior escalated. He felt betrayed? I guess? Even though she barely knew him. Everything just got worse from there.”

“The police didn’t help?” Jimin held both of Jeongguk’s hands as a constant reminder that he was there and not going anywhere.  

“They couldn’t arrest him. Technically he wasn’t doing anything wrong. There was no stalking law back then. The only thing they could do was ask him to leave. No matter how many times they warned him, he kept coming back. That’s when I came up with the idea to do a tour together. It was the best way to keep her safe. I could protect her and make sure that creep stayed away. On her final night with the Seoul symphony in Copenhagen, security spotted him lurking outside of her hotel door. She was terrified and called me. I told her to call the police and file a complaint. Grandma and I contacted the hotel and threw our weight around. We insisted that they press charges for trespassing and loitering. He was arrested. Just before she and I went on our tour together, she got a restraining order against him. He was charged and convicted of trespassing. We thought he was rotting away in a jail somewhere. We thought it was over.”

“But it wasn’t?” Jimin continued to hold his hands.

“He showed up in Japan, fresh out of jail. He flew there the same time we did, likely on the same flight. The police never notified us that he was free. We didn’t know that he was in the audience during the concert. We never imagined that he would show up again. I drove to the hotel but there was no parking out front, so I parked across the street. I left the car running and left her waiting in the passenger’s seat. I remember glancing back briefly to see her sitting there looking Angelic, playing on her phone, not a care in the world. That all changed in less than five minutes. It was just five minutes. I was gone five fucking minutes,” Jeongguk began clawing at himself again as the images developed in his head like a polaroid picture.  “I guess he surprised her. I can’t imagine how scared she must have been when she saw him. He attacked her in the front seat, dragging her out of the car. When I came out of the hotel room, I could see the door open and hear her screaming. I knew something was wrong and that’s when I saw him, pulling her from the car.  

I didn’t think, I just took off sprinting towards them at full speed. I was so desperate to get to her that I didn’t look where I was going and ran into the middle of the street. I was hit by a car and thrown into the air. I must have been briefly knocked out because all I can remember was spitting blood out of my mouth and trying to get back up. She was still screaming and screaming. She was calling my name and begging for me to help her. He was still trying to pull her from the car, but she fought him. She fought so hard…,” Jeongguk broke into tears. He was trembling again, clawing again, rocking again. “The lady who hit me tried to help me up. I guess she wanted to get me to the hospital. I don’t know. But she didn’t understand, it was Jihyo who needed help. Not me. I could see Dong. He finally pulled her free from the car. She was overpowered. I could hear Jiyho calling my name. I begged the lady who hit me to call the police. I told her to help my sister. She looked over her shoulder and finally understood what was happening. She ran back to her car and immediately called the police. It was up to me to save Jihyo. I tried to run again, but my legs wouldn’t carry me. My arm dangled from my socket like a rag doll. My mouth was bleeding, my nose was bleeding. I was smashed up, but the adrenaline flowing through my veins propelled me to keep going. I had to save her. I was her only chance. 

It was late and there was no one else on the street. I finally got to my feet, only to crumble to the ground again. It was the most important few seconds of my life. I had a chance to save her, but I couldn’t. My legs wouldn’t hold me. My fucking legs were broken and they wouldn’t hold me.” Jeongguk slammed his fists into his legs. “I fell to my knees and crawled with one arm as he carried her back to his car. I crawled over broken glass, rocks, trash, everything to try to get to her. I screamed at him ‘Let her go Dong, please let her go.’ He never even looked at me. He heard me. He knew that I was coming for him. I started yelling at her, I told her to fight, to get away, to run. And she did just that. Somehow, despite him being almost three times her size. She got away from him. She saw me crawling and she ran towards me, screaming my name, begging me once again to help her. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t get to her…before he did.” Jeongguk’s throat tightened and his voice cracked. Tears pooled in his eyes as he seemed to have trouble breathing. Simply reliving the root of his trauma was causing him to have an anxiety attack. His PTSD was unlocked and there was nothing that Jimin could do to help him other than to urge him to keep talking. “We were just a few meters apart. She was running towards me when suddenly she just stopped. Her eyes went wide and her expression changed. A tear rolled down her cheek as she stared at me. Dong had come from out of nowhere and plunged a large knife into her back. I saw her stretching her arms behind her trying to get the knife out. But that fucking madman wasn’t done with her. He pushed her down to the ground and attacked her again, stabbing her over and o-o-o-over and o-o-over and o-o-over and o-o-o--over. I don’t even remember how many times he raised the knife but it was too many times for my mind to process. Blood was everywhere. Pools of it leaked from her body, running in a fractured pattern over the dirt in the alley. Some of it even reached me, making me truly feel the helplessness of our situation. Even though a crowd had gathered, no one stepped forward to help. Everyone was frozen in shock…I guess. I could hear the police sirens in the distance, but they were too late. I continued to crawl towards her while my hands traced through her blood. He stabbed her one last time, in the heart. He killed her,” Jeongguk’s lips trembled, his voice was low and staccato. He spoke his truth with the most courage that Jimin had ever seen displayed by one man. “And he left the knife sticking out of her chest.”

“Oh my God,” Jimin cried with him. “Oh my God.” Those were the only words he could find. “Oh my God.”

“The autopsy report says she was stabbed 118 times. The rage he had inside of him was pure evil. She didn’t even know him. His sick mind fabricated a relationship that wasn’t even there and it drove him to mu-mu-mutilate my b-b-beautiful sister!” Jeongguk sobbed louder, and hugged himself to self-soothe.

“You can stop. You don’t have to go on,” Jimin tried to keep guardrails around Jeongguk’s confession. He was no expert on issues of mental health but what was happening to Jeongguk seemed dangerous in the hands of an amateur, such as himself. He really wished he had Dr. Yuri’s phone number.

“I finally got to her and I ripped the knife from her chest. Blood gushed everywhere, all over me, all over her beautiful gown. She didn’t even get to change out of her gown. I h-h-h-held her in my arms as her soul left her b-b-b-body.”

“Oh baby, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry.” Jimin couldn’t control his own tears. It all made so much sense to him now. If he had been Jeongguk he probably would have turned his back on the world too, especially after witnessing something as horrific as her murder. He didn’t know what to say, he didn’t know how to make it better. He wanted to take Jeongguk’s pain away but how could he? How could he ever erase such a devastating memory from his young lover’s mind?

As emotional as Jeongguk was, he held it together. Purging it all seemed to stabilize him. His shaking was uncontrollable, his voice was choppy, but his thoughts were clear. “I need you. I need you, I feel like I’m going crazy. I feel like I’m slipping away again. I’m so scared. I don’t feel right. My mind doesn’t feel right. I’m fighting the fog, but it keeps surrounding me. I need you Jimin, PLEASE!”

Jimin wiped his tears and caressed his back. He did everything he could to make his presence known, “I’m here. You have all of me. I’m right here…,” but it wasn’t enough. Just his presence and support were not enough to keep Jeongguk from losing it again. And then a thought came to him. There was only one way to give more of himself…and it was, oddly enough, something that Jimin had jokingly thought about before. He knew exactly how to bring him back and how to comfort him. Without warning he clamped Jeongguk’s mouth closed by sealing them with his lips. He could feel the younger’s quivers transfer to him as he merged their energy. 

Jeongguk reacted by succumbing. There were levels to what he needed to feel safe and comforted. Only Jimin could help with the melioration of his trauma and they both seemed to understand it. Jeongguk stared into the eyes of the one who had been sent by God to make him whole again. Jimin’s immaculate golden blondeness coupled with his satyric features gave him shivers. He wanted, no, he needed for Jimin to bring him back to the world of the living. 

He opened completely to Jimin’s kiss, his body pliant and posable like a doll. Jimin’s mouth was indescribably delicious as it ground over his. The serpent-like tongue crawled around his teeth and gums, gently sucking with plump lips. Jeongguk wanted to be controlled and given strict boundaries that only existed when he was with Jimin. He tensed and then relaxed as Jimin’s hand slid down the front of his pajama pants. He felt the elder shaping and lifting his cock, stimulating it until it awakened. Jimin pressed him down to the bed gently, tenderly, like a father tending to an upset child. But there was nothing fatherly about his intentions. He climbed on top of him, still kissing and holding and comforting. 

Jeongguk relaxed as his shirt was pulled over his head. There was no resistance from him, because he was ready to give Jimin anything he wanted. Anything, as long as it comforted him…saved him. He needed Jimin’s body, nude, flushed and pressed against his. Pushing Jimin’s pants down while stroking his cock with a firm fist, he readied himself to be taken. They wanted each other so badly that each moment that passed was tortuous. After too many seconds of jostling about and ripping away every piece of fabric that their fingers could grab, they finally found themselves naked. Jimin’s naked body felt so good, that Jeongguk released a whimpered cry. The long, rigid hardness of the elder rubbed against Jeongguk’s thigh.

Jimin confessed again, sensing that it was the right time to say the hard things, “I do love you. I don’t even know when it happened, but I do,” he muttered.

 

Jeongguk’s skin felt like pure fire with every touch from Jimin’s wandering fingers. His nipples were kissed, sucked and bitten until they turned red and bruised. Jimin’s hand traveled over Jeongguk’s crotch, stopping only to massage and pull at the thatch of hair just above his dick. Jeongguk watched him lean down and bury his nose within the thickness of his pubic hairs, while sniffing his arousing scent. Jimin’s slow licking of his lover’s balls caused his cock to swell to its fullest length.

The younger arched his back under the sensation before repositioning Jimin’s head and forcing his tongue to breach the inner rim of his ass. Jimin’s wet tongue tickled his insides. At the same time, Jeongguk masturbated himself, stretching the skin of his dick over his blood filled veins. His throat filled with moans while his ass lifted slightly from the bed, leaving more space for Jimin to eat him. He hissed. It was good, but not enough. The fog still surrounded him, the music still threatened to stream inside of his head. He needed more. Pushing through his trauma could only be possible if Jimin took him, distracted him. 

Jimin’s small fingers rested over his crotch, so Jeongguk grabbed them and manipulated them and finally inserted them into himself. As the fingers wriggled against his prostate, he gasped for breath. This was how he wanted to cum, this was how he wanted to be saved, just like this, with Jimin’s fingers parting him and pushing into his tight space. The tensile nature of his body demanded that Jimin’s fingers continue working him, pleasuring him until he was numb. Jeongguk jerked his cock even harder as pleasure reached the depths of his consciousness.

 

There was a definite purpose to Jimin’s stroke. He tapped the small walnut inside of Jeongguk’s entrance with rhythmic, gentle pressure, alternating between circular motions and taps. He watched Jeongguk’s desperation as he jerked his cock, chasing the orgasm that floated just beyond his reach.

Jeongguk’s lips began to quiver again, only this time it was not from crying, but from sheer pleasure, the likes of which he’d never experienced before. Jimin spat on Jeongguk’s cock to moisten it as Jeongguk jerked himself faster and faster until the movement was just a blur. The bed began to squeak from his aggression. 

After a while, Jimin decided that he wanted control. He removed Jeongguk’s hand and then leaned down to replace it with his warm mouth. He constricted his cheeks around the younger’s shaft, lapping up the salty precum as it leaked in clear intervals. Fucking him with his fingers while sucking his soul out of his body was a special talent that only Jimin could deliver.

For Jeongguk, the terrifying visions of the past suddenly disappeared. He could only envision the present and the present had the most gorgeous man in Korea finger fucking him and driving him to a full body orgasm. His stomach began to rise and fall like a pulse. Breathing ceased, because that was useless. Every drop of blood in his body rushed to his skin as he laid on his back, watching Jimin work between his legs. Tears once again streamed from his eyes. As with everything else between him and Jimin, the lines between his pleasure and his emotional pain melded into one. He was no longer crying because of his dead sister, he was crying because of his living lover, the one who made him feel like no one else. He fought against the fall of his own heavy lids. His legs lifted to his chest as the explosion drew near. A quick flash of his eyes allowed one last glimpse of Jimin’s beautiful silhouette before falling into his orgasmic trance. And then he released.

 

He felt as if he were falling through a thick bed of clouds, his stomach turning into a hot pit of molten lava; mind flashing over the beautiful hillside of Busan as he continued to float. Every neuron in his body fired as uncontrollable shaking attacked him. He released several cries as Jimin continued to manipulate his small fingers inside of him. Illicit pleasure traveled through his body.

Remarkably, he had the wherewithal to cover his mouth as his frenetic moaning and whimpering crescendoed like Mozart’s Rondo Alla Turca. His long beautiful hands gripped the surface of the sheets, balling them into his fists. His teeth chattered. His blood pulsed. He reached his peak. It was exactly the exchange of energy that Jeongguk so desperately needed. As his prostate exploded, thin milky fluid puddled all over Jimin’s fingers. 

 

Jimin grew even more aroused by Jeongguk’s orgasm. His own cock was throbbing, pulsing like a caged animal between them. He had to release or else ‘little Jimin’ would go insane.

Without Jeongguk even realizing it, Jimin crawled on top of him. He slipped between his knees and positioned himself to enter him. Impatiently, he pressed his rounded tip against the wrinkled slit that he molded with his fingers. At the exact moment that he was ready to push into him, he suddenly stopped. 

“What’s wrong?” Jeongguk’s eyes were still closed, but he could feel everything happening around him. Nearing the end of his own blissful orgasm, he turned his attention to a suffering Jimin. “Why are you stopping?”

“I can’t do this. It feels like…taking advantage of you. You’re so swollen down there. You need a few days to heal. I’m sorry. I don’t know what I was thinking. I was being selfish,” Jimin whispered. “I’ll wait a few days and…,”

Jeongguk didn’t agree with that plan. He thought it was inane to stop in the middle of their beautiful love making. He wondered if it might even cause him more emotional harm. He spoke his mind, whispering in the darkness over the sound of distant crashing waves, “Dr. Yuri says that I need to fuck. She said that it could potentially help me avoid relapse. You promised to give me what I needed. She explicitly said I needed to fuck you. So…let me fuck you. Doctor’s orders.”  

In the midst of a sexual tryst more intense than either of them knew how to tame, Jimin found his  laughter. His low melodious voice echoed through the quiet. Jeongguk didn’t laugh despite his intentionally crass joke. Jimin concluded that it was a very good sign that his needy client was able to poke fun at himself under such sensitive circumstances. 

“She did say that,” Jimin agreed through soft giggles. “But I…can’t hurt you again like I did yesterday in the hot air balloon. Stay here. I’ll be back.”

“Where are you going?” Jeongguk’s voice was much more petulant and demanding than he meant for it to be. 

He pulled the covers up around his bare chest and watched as Jimin disappeared from the room. His attention turned towards the window. It was officially Christmas and Jimin had given him the best present he could have asked for, on the heels of giving him the worst present he never asked for. The night was rich with dark, mocking irony. 

Before regressing any further into his thoughts, Jimin returned. He had slipped down the hall completely naked to his room. They were taking risky chances, openly fucking in Hayoon’s house with his sister, brother in law and nephew only meters away. But their bodies wanted what their bodies wanted. This time Jimin was prepared. He had two different types of lube in his hand, one scented and the other plain. Wasting no time, he crawled into the bed and reclaimed his position between Jeongguk’s thighs. 

Jimin wasn’t interested in saying many words. His cock dangled between his legs, dripping precum, as he held the two tubes in front of Jeongguk and urged him to pick one. With his balls swollen and the slightest hint of blue, Jimin urgently needed to relieve the stress building in his groin. The pressure in his cock was twisting like the knob on a jack-in -the-box and it was only a matter of time before he popped. The light from the lamp was dimmed to its lowest setting, just bright enough for Jeongguk to quickly select the scented lube as his choice. 

A random fruit smell permeated the room as Jimin twisted the lube open. Jimin didn’t waste any time. Jeongguk watched him drop a dollop into his palm and then rub briskly to create a warm coating that slathered all over his dick. He then did the same to Jeongguk’s entrance, focusing on his resistant rim and all of the tender flesh around it that was already swollen and irritated. At least five minutes were dedicated to preparing Jeongguk, sliding his fingers into him once again and pushing the lube as far as possible into his tight hole. 

Jimin whimpered, he longed to take him but his commitment to a painless ride was the most important to him. He couldn’t stand the thought of hurting his young lover again. He had a reputation for leaving men unable to walk after giving them his signature fuck magic. But that wasn’t what he wanted for Jeongguk. He was too special. 

“Enough, enough, enough,” Jeongguk whined as he rolled to his side. He jetted his hips backwards as a definite sign to Jimin that he wanted to be mounted.

Jimin released a heavy seductive sigh and cradled behind him. He spooned him lovingly as he used his small hands to guide his big dick into place. Everything was so slippery and wet. He glided straight through Jeongguk’s entrance with little resistance. Pushing forward in small intervals, he fed the cock delicately, like a man falling in love. He bottomed out. His eyes grew large with the understanding that Jeongguk had accepted his entire dick. The warmth around his shaft made him shiver. It was so fucking good and he hadn’t even delivered a single thrust.

“Oh, oh, oh, oh shit,” Jimin stuttered. His hips were already rotating every which way. He couldn’t find a pace that suited him because every stroke made him want to cum. Shallow and then deep and then shallow and then - deep, he pumped with varying strokes. His hips rolled forward and backwards and around and around. 

Voice lifting several octaves, Jimin screamed, “Oh God this is fucking insane.” 

Ten thrusts later, he was absolutely losing his mind. He reached his hand around Jeongguk’s cock and masturbated him once again. The naughty boy in him caused him to deliver a hard pinch to the tip of Jeongguk’s cock, “Cum again. Squirt on my fingers,” he demanded. The sound of Jeongguk’s cries of pleasure  spurred his climax. “Together. Together,” he needed them to cum together at the same time because that was just how he liked it. 

“I feel it,” Jeongguk said in response to Jimin’s demand. “Uh, uh, uh fuck,” the younger squeeled as he fucked into Jimin’s hand while Jimin bucked into his ass.

They lay on their sides, spooned together with Jimin pounded into him like a wild bull. He fucked him so hard that the headboard beat against the wall. Luckily it was Jimin’s empty room on the other side, otherwise they would have awakened the entire household. 

Jimin buried his face into Jeongguk’s back, “Cum now, cum now,” he ordered Jeongguk once again. The younger complied as he spewed a long stream from his cock while biting the pillow. His body seized while still being pounded by Jimin’s cock.

Jimin’s pleasure grew into a pulsating surge. His pulsed quickened and his heart thumped against his chest. He bit into Jeongguk’s skin as the climax arrived in a hot wave of intensity. A geyser of cum squirted from his tip causing him to pull out at the last minute so that he could watch his cum splatter all over Jeongguk’s back. He wanted to see it, feel it, touch it, worship it as his testimony to how Jeongguk made him feel. With his eyes tightly clenched closed, he found euphoria.

 

They rolled over the bed desperate to claim every centimeter of each other. Only two fucks into their situationship and they both realized that the sex was wild. It was a deeper level of communication for them; both physically and mentally satisfying. 

Jimin again thought back, if maybe he could have fucked Jeongguk three years ago after Jihyo first died, maybe he could have kept him out of the mental institution. There was credence to Dr. Yuri’s theory.

As they cuddled together face to face, chest to chest, crotch to crotch and nose to nose, Jimin quietly muttered, “Merry Christmas.”

“You brought me back. I thought I was spiraling again, but you brought me back. I was so scared. I thought I had broken myself again. But as soon as you touched me, I could feel the fog lift. Thank you, you may have just saved my life again. Not because of the sex, but through the connection to my soul,” Jeongguk said honestly.

“Thank you for letting me into what had to be the most difficult memory you’ve ever had to recount. What you did tonight was so brave. You faced your demon and you won. I still think you need some extended time with Dr. Yuri, but…well, I’m so proud of you. Jimin twisted his fingers through Jeongguk’s neck length hair.

Unsolicited and quite unexpected, Jeongguk decided to finish telling his story. It took him another two hours to speak about all the evil that haunted his thoughts. Jimin didn’t rush him. Because if Jeongguk felt he was strong enough to tell Jimin everything, then Jimin was going to listen to every word, every pause, every tearful recounting of the facts.

Jeongguk continued, “No one knows what Dong’s plan was that night. I think he saw her alone and saw his chance to have her. I don’t think he planned for shit to escalate that way.”

“He came prepared with a knife, so there was clearly some premeditation,” Jimin added.

Jeongguk nodded. That was a painful thought for him, “By the time he finished mutilating her, the police had arrived. He allowed himself to be arrested. He told the cops that he planned to marry her and that he was there to propose. He said she was his future wife and he had to kill her because she tried to get away. I don’t remember much after that.” 

The two of them rested their foreheads together. Jimin kept his arms wrapped around Jeongguk as he voided the last of his demons, “She was my everything Jimin. Her death was much more devastating than my parents’ death because I was just a kid when they died in a ferry accident. Grandma Nara’s death was awful, but she was old and life was designed for the young to outlive the old. Her death made sense even though it hurt. She was no longer in pain which, oddly, was something to celebrate.  But nothing compared to the pain that I felt when I lost Jihyo. She was half of me. She  was me. I only existed because she existed.”

“Your parents died in a ferry accident? What happened?” Jimin felt it was safe to venture down that road since Jeongguk seemed to have closure and acceptance around his parent’s death.

“Yea. The Sewol ferry accident.”

“I remember that vaguely. Oh Jeongguk, that’s terrible You’ve had a rough life haven’t you?”

“Ups and downs, mostly ups. Sometimes things happen beyond our control and we have to navigate it as best we can. At any rate, the ferry accident killed over 300 people when the boat capsized. My mom and dad were two of them. It was terrible. But at the time, Jihyo and I were only five years old so we barely had memories of it and we didn’t really understand what happened until our teenage years. Of course we missed them and cried every night because they weren’t there. But we moved on, mostly because my Grandmother stepped in to make sure that we had a stable home.” Jeongguk rested as the warmth of Jimin’’s forehead remained pressed against his.

He continued after a brief moment of silence, “Grandma Nara didn’t want our world to be disrupted any more than it had already been, so she gave up her entire life to move to Busan to care for us. Even though she was grieving the loss of her only child, she took that grief and turned it into love for us. She loved my dad an unhealthy amount. She blamed herself for his death despite knowing that it was just a tragic accident. Grandma always felt that she somehow failed him, even though nothing could be further from the truth. They had an amazing relationship from what I can remember. I think redirecting that energy to me and Jihyo was Grandma’s way of saving her sanity.” Jeongguk sighed. He closed his eyes and gently pressed his lips to Jimin’s mouth, to share his energy. “She sacrificed everything for me and my sister, even her marriage, and left the family mansion to move to Busan to be with us. She was determined to raise us with all of her love while keeping us focused on our music. I’d never seen that kind of love before, not even from my own parents. Naturally, her second husband filed for divorce after she told him that we were her first priority. He didn’t like that,” Jeongguk laughed. “Anyway, making the decision to put us first caused her to lose everything because while she was here raising us, her brother was back in Seoul raiding her bank accounts. He stole all of her money through some scam. Her other siblings blew the rest of the family fortune through foolish investments and reckless spending. Grandma was the only rational one amongst them but even she spent too much at times, spoiling us and giving us everything we wanted. She had just spent billions of won a few years earlier to buy Jihyo’s cello and that only made our financial situation worse. But even though we were struggling, she never once considered taking the cello back to sell it. She told us to protect it with our lives for the rest of our lives…and we did. Eventually, Grandma’s finances got so bad that we had to leave Busan and move back to Seoul. We left here when we were teenagers and moved into the family mansion with Grandma. She raised us in that house.” Jeongguk reset and switched the conversation back to Jihyo. “Me and Jihyo were a package deal and grandma was fiercely protective of us. We were the only three Jeons left and that made the relationship between the three of us very special. It was me and Jihyo from the womb. They say that identical twins build co-dependence that makes them unable to separate. It’s true. Her death was exponentially more traumatic than the others. For me, the world stopped when her heart stopped. That’s why Second Chances has healed me. That’s why I’ve come so far.”

Jimin wasn’t pleased to hear Jeongguk once again credit Second Chances with his recovery, but there was nothing he could do about it without the risk of upsetting him. “The things you witnessed would have driven anyone over the edge.”  

“I don’t remember making a conscious decision to stop talking. I think it just happened as a result of my unevolved mind,” Jeongguk spoke casually. 

His ability to have such a balanced and stable conversation felt like a breakthrough. And Jimin was there to witness it. They spoke for another couple of hours with Jimin gently probing to get the full story. He was delicate and artful in his extraction of information and it added even more depth to their budding romance.

“What happened to Dong and where is he now?” Jimin asked.

“He’s in prison. By the time the trial rolled around, I had been sent to the mental institution. I couldn’t even give a witness account of what happened. Thanks to other witnesses and the lady who hit me with her car, the police were able to piece together Jihyo’s last minutes alive. I stopped speaking that night and for two years, I never said another word. My poor grandmother had to seek justice all alone. Me and Jihyo were her only living family, yet both of us had been taken away by that man. In Grandma’s mind, he had killed both of her grandchildren. He’ll never get out of jail, but that’s little solace because he still has his life. His family can still see him and love him. He has time to get the mental help that he needs. My sister doesn’t.”

Jimin asked another tricky question, “How do you think that sheet music got back to the musical archive museum and ended up for sale?”

“My grandmother, no doubt. I’m almost certain that she would have claimed it on my behalf. It’s worth a great deal of money which is why I returned to the hotel that night to retrieve it…,” Jeongguk didn’t want to continue with that line of thought. “I’m sure she sold it to them when she was liquidating her assets,” he ended simply. He pushed Jimin onto his back and then crawled on top of him, straddling him. “I’m feeling vulnerable again. I think I need you…again.” For sure his cock was searching for fulfillment as it grew down his leg and bounced against Jimin’s stomach. Without any discussion, he slid his body over Jimin’s limp cock, smashing his swollen ass against it until he felt it grow once again. He leaned all the way forward, staring down into Jimin’s face as his arm worked behind him to stroke Jimin’s shaft. “Let me make you feel good,” he said. He squatted over Jimin’s body and then slowly lowered himself over the elder’s cock once again, inserting it suddenly and without further conversation.

“Oh Jeonggukie,” Jimin said sweetly as he watched him slowly bounce up and down. 

It couldn’t have possibly been that simple where all he needed was to fuck him to avoid psychotic episodes, but it surely seemed like that was the path they were on. Jimin had absolutely no objection to that. He could already feel his arousal peaking. He watched Jeongguk’s taught stomach muscles clench as he used his legs, abs and back to fuck him. The vision of him riding him up and down, rolling his hips, while staring down at him, was like something out of a movie. Jeongguk pushed his head back, exposing his neck for Jimin to wrap his fingers around it. The younger closed his eyes and bounced faster and faster until the oily lubricant between their bodies began to suction and clap. Thus far, they had been quiet. But this time around, they couldn’t contain themselves. They both screamed out as they climaxed together for the second time in as many hours. 

There was so much pleasure in their lovemaking. Both were very experienced, very savvy when it came to sex, yet incredibly, everything felt brand new while experiencing it together. 

It was the birth of love.

***

On Christmas morning, Aran was concerned when he didn’t find Jimin in his room. In fact he couldn’t find Jimin anywhere. He searched the entire house, even checked the porch. In a last minute effort to find him, he knocked on Jeongguk’s door.

“Merry Christmas, Jeongguk. Have you seen uncle Geeman?” His sweet voice called from the hall.

Jimin and Jeongguk were both very, very, extremely, inconveniently naked. The knock on the door stirred them awake and they immediately panicked when they realized their mistake. Jimin had fallen asleep in Jeongguk’s room after fucking three times that same night. They were exhausted, but regretted nothing - except maybe the fact that Jimin had forgotten to go back to his room.

Jeongguk thought quickly, “He went for a walk on the beach. He couldn’t sleep,” he yelled to Aran through the door.

Jimin was out of the bed looking for his clothes. He couldn’t find them so he threw on a pair of sweats and a t-shirt that Jeongguk had laid on the dresser. He also stole his coat. After a brief but loving kiss, he then crawled out of the window. Once Jeongguk got his clothes back on, he opened the door. 

The strong odor of lube hit Aran’s nose. “Were you eating fruit this morning?”

“Uhhh, yes. Fruit,” Jeongguk looked over his shoulder. He could see Jimin in the distance running around the side of the house. Within seconds the doorbell rang. “Oh see. There’s uncle Jimin now. I guess he’s finished with his walk.”

“Oh yea. Ok, I’ll go let him in.” Aran disappeared. 

Jeongguk laughed. He could hear Jimin making up lies on the fly as he continued to try to explain to Aran where he had been. The kid wasn’t stupid, but he trusted his uncle Jimin so much that he didn’t question the inconsistencies in his story or the fact that he was wearing Jeongguk’s clothes.

***

After showers and breakfast, Jeongguk gave each of them Christmas gifts. They had gifts for him as well, something Hayoon had managed to pull together at the last minute. It was a proper Christmas morning even though none of them were really familiar with how the tradition was supposed to go. Jimin made a point of throwing the sheet music back into the box. He wasn’t sure of the return policy but he was sure that he could never, ever allow Jeongguk to see it again. So if it meant burning it in the fireplace, despite its hefty price tag, then that was what he was prepared to do. But first, he was going to attempt to sell it back. The odds of gifting Jeongguk a cursed artifact that previously belonged to him was so creepy that it gave Jimin the chills. It was cello music, an original piece. He never expected it to be loaded with so much baggage. But at the same time, he was grateful for his faux pas because it truly led to the breakthrough that Jeongguk needed.

Hayoon, Aran and Kai had a special event planned with members of Kai’s family. They left, leaving Jimin and Jeongguk alone. Jimin wanted to go shopping. Neither of them had been to Seomyeon mall since they were kids, so that’s where they decided to go. Possibly because he was so well fucked, he wanted to shower Jeongguk with gifts and trinkets even though he knew that there was nothing he really wanted.

They arrived at the mall, discounting the fact that Busan was Jeongguk’s hometown. They also didn’t consider that Jeongguk was an international artist who had been out of the public eye for many years. They never expected that he would be - recognized.

As the two of them walked through the mall, holding hands, they came upon a small auxiliary group playing the entirety of Bach’s Orchestral Suite No. 3 in D Major in the atrium. Jeongguk couldn’t help himself. He lingered, evaluating technique, wincing over sharp notes, and absorbing the emotion of the performance. There were ten of them, a sizable group for a simple mall concert. None of the faces were familiar to him. They were likely from a local college, giving the performance to earn extra credit while getting extra practice. No one stood out as extraordinary, but he could tell they were passionate about their art. They weren’t budding stars like his sister. As of late, he compared everyone to Jihyo. It was not something he meant to do, but she was heavy on his mind, especially considering the advances he’d made with processing her death. He continued to listen, evaluate, and contemplate all of the instructions the group needed to improve.

He swayed with his eyes closed. The piece was one of his favorites, one he had played many times. It didn’t matter if they hit every note or held every pause, what mattered was the incredible heart with which they played the music. And that was what moved him.

Jimin didn’t speak nor disturb his peace. He stood back and allowed Jeongguk to enjoy the moment. That was one of the most special attributes to Jimin, he understood Jeongguk well. He knew how to encourage his positive moments while stifling the difficult ones. He was open to all of the things that made Jeongguk happy. Nara’s insistence on the two of them getting to know each other organically was their biggest asset because there was very little that he didn’t know about his client, turned lover.

 Not too often had he observed Jeongguk in his ‘element’.  It was a side of him that Jimin was still learning. In fact, until recently, Jeongguk had completely abandoned his role as a musical prodigy.

 

A shriek could be heard from one of the family members sitting in the audience. She pointed towards Jeongguk while nudging other audience members next to her. The whispers were not quite whispers because the woman was loud. She recognized him; they all recognized him. Mumblings of the word, “Maestro” began to travel through the crowd. Within five minutes, everyone had stopped watching the concert because all eyes were on him. They were all staring at the simple man, with long hair and simple clothing who was a dead ringer for the famous Cellist known as Maestro Jeon. The excitement was palpable but with great restraint they all remained in their seats. 

Jeongguk was oblivious. His mind was singularly focused on the performance of the full orchestra in front of him. As a couple of the audience members stood to their feet, Jimin stood protectively in front of Jeongguk. Given what he had learned about Jihyo’s death and given the potential for nuts and stalkers to be attracted to him, he worried about Jeongguk’s safety. The man really was a big fucking deal in their world and Jimin didn’t take any of it lightly. This was his first time experiencing Jeongguk’s celebrity and he had no clue what to expect or how intense his fans were.

The orchestra reached the end of the first stanza and took a small break. Jimin suggested that he and Jeongguk get out of there before the crowd bubbled up any further. Just as they were about to leave, one of the audience members who was with the orchestral team approached the microphone. 

“Ladies and gentlemen. We are incredibly blessed today with the presence of the one and only Maestro Jeon Jeongguk. Maestro, I-I don’t mean to put you on the spot but while we’re in recess, would you mind…playing something? Would you do us that great honor?” The woman made a bold request. It was a bit rude considering she didn’t ask Jeongguk before putting him on blast in front of a mall full of people. 

But Jeongguk took it all very casually. He wasn’t upset or even phased. 

The woman continued, “My cello is nothing like the cello you played in the Grand Hall but I would be honored if you would play it. Will you? Will you please?”

Jimin leaned into Jeongguk and whispered, “We can make a run for it. Just say the word.”

Jeongguk laughed, “Now…exactly why would I run?”

“Because these people look craaaaayzeeeee.”

“I think they’re ok. Maybe they just want to hear me play. It could be that simple, possibly, right?”

“Are you sure about this? You haven’t played in public in years and she didn’t even ask you politely first. And you don’t have your instrument and did I mention that you don’t even know these people?”

“Give me five minutes. Maybe ten. I’ll play one song for the crowd and then we can go. You worry too much,” Jeongguk gave Jimin a kiss on the lips and then headed through the awestruck crowd.

The women swooned as Jeongguk walked towards the front. He looked very different from his Idol days. He was much thinner and more fit and his hair was much longer. But, he was every bit as handsome as the day he disappeared from the public eye. Several of the women reached out their hands just to touch him. They had love in their eyes and Jimin didn’t like it. 

“Back off, let him through,” he yelled at the horny women who were crowding Jeongguk. “I guess cello groupies are really a thing. Get the fuck off of my boyfriend,” he pouted quietly to himself.  “Boyfriend? Did you just call him your boyfriend? I don’t think he agreed to that,” Jimin questioned himself like a maniac.

As Jeongguk approached the front of the atrium, the crowd broke into applause. Onlookers from the highest floors, hung over the balconies to get a glimpse of him. He was indeed a big deal. He gave a shy wave to everyone because it was the polite thing to do. His only interest, however, was the music. The woman who started the entire mess ran up to him with a cello in hand. She gave it to him with apologies for it not being a fancy top of the line instrument. He blew it off as if the quality of the cello didn’t matter. Once again, he was being polite. 

 

Jeongguk sat at the very front of the stage, all alone with the other orchestra members resting behind him. The pianist offered him a reference note to help him tune the foreign cello, but he didn’t need it. His perfect pitch gave him the note that he needed. He pitched the strings up and down by twisting the wooden pegs. It took less than three minutes to properly tune the out-of-tune cello. That was the one spot where he stood apart from his sister; he had perfect pitch, she didn’t. And he could memorize any song he played, she couldn’t. 

He took his position with the cello resting between his knees and the neck lying lazily over his shoulder. There were so many songs in his head, with varying degrees of difficulty. All of them were committed to memory. He shuffled through his internal database, looking for which song to play. He settled on Silver Linings. It was one of the songs that he and Jihyo used to play in tandem, each with gripping solos that complimented each other. It was a dueling cellos type of arrangement. His heart ached to hear only the singular lead without the accompaniment of his sister. But that was the song that came to his mind so that was the song he chose to play.

At first note, the virtuoso captivated the hushed crowd. His nimble fingers danced across the strings, coaxing soulful melodies from the off brand cello. Each note, rich and resonant, weaved a tapestry of joy, sorrow, and longing. His expressive face mirrored the music’s depth with his eyes closed in fervent concentration. The audience, spellbound, hung on every bow stroke. The cello was not mic’d but Jeongguk’s masterful blends and warm tones filled the space to the satisfaction of every ear. His technical mastery blended with his raw passion, creating an intimate connection with every single person in the room, especially Jimin. 

Once again, Jimin was entranced by Jeongguk’s play. He fell absentmindedly into a seat in front of him. Eyes wide, heart pounding, he could feel the tears welling in his eyes. He knew nothing about music, or instrumentation but he knew talent when he saw it. The sound was fantastically euphoric, controlling Jimin’s emotions as easily as Jeongguk controlled each note. For the first time Jimin understood why he was so affected by it. It was because the prodigy had achieved entelechy, a rare occurrence that could only be proliferated by God himself. Listening to Jeongguk play was akin to listening to God himself. There was a spiritual element to witnessing that kind of talent. Jimin could feel himself floating away, merging into the musical world that Jeongguk created. It was magic.

Jeongguk played freely, slightly slumped over at times, especially when he fingered the higher notes. He played the cello as if it were a part of his body, second nature since birth. The crowd was mesmerized. Even passersby who knew nothing about what was happening, were halted. His talent transcended words. 

The adhoc concert he gave was worth millions in concert tickets, touring dates, song downloads and merchandise, yet Jeongguk gave it all away for free, simply because someone asked him to. His humility was too great for the cruel world that surrounded him. 

The trance was broken when Jeongguk played the very last note. Despite pleas for him to play another and another, he respectfully declined. He was happy to grace the world with his talent on rare occasions, but he was not ready to dive back into the life of an Idol. There was just too much healing that he still needed to do.

At that moment, Jimin became his biggest fan. Jeongguk barely had a chance to pass the cello back to its owner before Jimin yanked him off of the stage and sprinted through the mall, pulling him along with him. They barged into the family restroom because it was empty. Jimin kicked the stall door open and pushed Jeongguk into the tiny space. 

Jeongguk was so confused. “What’s going on? Do you have to pee? Why do I need to be part of this transaction? What…?” 

Jimin kissed him quietly, “Shut up. You said you fuck all of your cello groupies. Well, meet your newest one.” He unzipped Jeongguk’s jeans while his hands explored Jeongguk’s entire body, focusing mainly on his crotch. 

“Shit, you want to fuck? Here? In public?” Jeongguk smiled broadly even though he protested like a good boy. “Jimin, wait. No. I said no...not here. Isn’t this a little weird?”

“No. It’s not weird, it’s what people do when they’re in love.”

“In love?” There were those three words again, words that Jimin was very comfortable saying. Each time Jeongguk heard them, hsi heart melted. He internal battled with saying it back because loving another person was something he didn’t know if he was emotionally qualified to do.

“Please don’t make me beg. Fuck I need you baby,” Jimin’s pants dropped around his ankles. 

His cock was so long and hard that it actually took Jeongguk’s breath away, “What’s gotten into you? Was it seeing me play?”

He pushed the side of Jeongguk’s face into the wall and stood close behind him. He held his dick in his hand and used it to massage up and down the round curves of Jeongguk’s ass. His hands found the younger’s entrance and he stuffed several fingers inside of him. Jeongguk could never resist being finger fucked, no matter how sore he was and Jimin knew it.

He whispered to him, revealing a truth that never should have been spoken aloud, “Jeon Jeongguk, I’m falling head over heels in love with you. If you don’t let me fuck you right now, my heart will absolutely explode. I feel it stronger now than I ever have before. Please, Jeonggukie, please let me have you right here, right now.”

Jeongguk had no objections to fucking in a bathroom. He did however feel his heart drop when he heard Jimin use the word love again, it was the third or fourth time in as many days. He didn’t know what was driving Jimin’s behavior. Before he could even respond, Jimin pushed the tip of his dick over his rim. Nanoseconds later, his cock popped through and he was inside of Jeongguk’s body. The man’s hole was still gaped open from a night of marathon fucking, yet Jimin took him once again. 

The initial roll of his hips pounded Jeongguk’s body into the wall. He wrapped both arms around his stomach to hold him in place as he bucked like wild. At times he accidently lifted Jeongguk from his feet because he was a hard and fast fucker who showed little mercy during his peek arousal. It was Jimin’s brand and Jeongguk was learning the hard way that he had no “off” button.

The younger one slapped his hands against the wall to keep his balance as the elder tore into him. Jimin fucked him with the determination of emptying his entire soul into his ass. 

Once again he began his filthy banter, “Can I cum baby? Let me cum inside of you. Let me fuck you until you cry, like you did last night,” Jimin said things, naughty things that made Jeongguk go wild. 

 

Without any warning from his own body, Jeongguk began to climax. He liked it hard, he liked it rough, and that was exactly what Jimin gave him. He moaned loudly, voice echoing against the tiled walls. The volume of his groans grew and grew until he found himself screaming his sinful pleasures. 

He called back to him, “Make me cum. Make me cum. Fuck me, fuck me baby. Right there!” His whimpers were so soft and alluring. Jimin just wanted to eat him.

Jeongguk was so aroused that his cock erupted without even being touched. Portions of his velvety cum clung to the walls and slow dripped to the floor. The rest landed on his jeans, underwear and thighs. 

Still Jimin pumped him. He refused to let go. He refused to slow down. The clapping of their bodies could be heard clear across the food court. 

Jimin couldn’t hold it anymore. He bit the back of Jeongguk’s neck in the same place where he had bitten it so many times before. But it was the only way to contain his screams. Before he knew it, his stomach filled with pools of warmth and his legs began to shake. His orgasm was prolonged because he had cum so much over the last twenty four hours that his body savored every single thrust. He pushed himself all the way forward, driving his dick as deeply as it would go. It was there where he released. Teeth chattering, back hunched, his tip exploded. In the middle of Jeongguk’s tight hole, his shaft was suddenly surrounded by his own hot fluid. He continued to pump until he was completely empty.

 

Score one for Jeongguk’s newest cello groupie. Love was indeed being birthed.

***

The next few days with Hayoon, Kai and Aran all passed very quickly. Jimin and Hayoon managed to avoid any more arguments. But she was quick to inform him privately that she could hear them fucking whenever they were in Jimin’s room. She let it pass however, because she could see what they all could see, Jimin was falling in love. 

Her concerns about the relationship remained. Her gut told her that he and Jeongguk were headed for trouble. But it was impossible to make Jimin see that, especially when she was competing against little Jimin’s love for Jeongguk’s tight ass. There was nothing she could do to make the fall any easier, and she was convinced that a fall was coming. 

For Jimin, saying goodbye to Aran was probably the hardest. He was a constant reminder of how much he wanted kids and how he longed to give Aran a cousin to play with. Jimin stared at Jeongguk as he and Aran ran down the beach one last time, flying their kites. He didn’t want to leave the protective shores of Haeundae beach but it was time to get back to the reality of their lives. 

They all said their final goodbyes before climbing into Jimin’s Porsche. She thanked Jeongguk for visiting them and for the lovely Christmas gifts. She kissed her little brother and gave him more warnings, none of which he headed. 

Hayoon packed lunches for the road. She began to cry as Jimin started the car. He ended up jumping out to give her one last hug before driving away.

***

Chapter Index

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Chapter Seven - You Shouldn't Refuse

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🍃Angst
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🍃Graphic Sex

🍃Mental Manipulation

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The First Day of the New Year - January 

Jeongguk returned to his custodial job and SOPA and Jimin returned to Second Chances. There was no single conversation that defined them as boyfriends even though Jimin readily used the word love when speaking to him or about him. He spent almost every night at Jeongguk’s apartment because he loved the Itaewon area. Plus Jeongguk wasn’t too keen on leaving Jihyo’s cello unattended for very long. So gradually, Jimin made himself comfortable there, leaving clothes, toiletries and even his toothbrush

Despite warnings and alarm bells going off from everyone, the trip to Haeundae beach uncovered the inevitable; they had an attraction for each other that was bigger than both of them. They couldn’t just ignore their destiny. Their flaming hot passion was proof that they were bespoke by the universe and possibly God himself. The backdrop of the secluded beach unintentionally sparked a romance that was never supposed to happen.Whatever they were, boyfriend or other, it was complicated, leaving Jimin particularly vulnerable. Dating a client was a direct violation of Second Chances’ rules of conduct. The bottom line was that everyone at work knew that he had a harmless crush on Jeongguk, but they all expected him to maintain his professionalism and keep his hands off. But as it stood, Jimin was very hands on. He was in a dangerous situation and he had to rely solely on Jeongguk to keep their secret.

 

It was Jimin’s third day back at work. His schedule was twice as busy as it was before he left; so many new clients. The money was pouring in. Jimin, being the top ranked salesman at the company, was in very high demand. Si-Hyuk and Mingyu were already in talks to bring on two additional consultants to help with the workload. Business was not slowing down and they needed more help. 

Si-Hyuk’s latest enhancements to the CHLOE program were getting rave reviews. Word spread fast and soon customers from all over the world were requesting their services. The mobile application, which had been built exclusively for Jeongguk, was responsible for most of the new revenue growth. There were plans to expand that side of the business with consultants who would travel to their clients instead of requiring all services be provided in the building. Jimin’s session with Jeongguk was the prototype. Once the new mobile service was fully up and running, he would be responsible for all of the training. 

But that expansion was still a year away and there were rumors that Si-Hyuk was having trouble coming up with the cash to pay for the development. New cloud technology was expensive, and Si-Hyuk’s model was so advanced that he needed 200 developers to help with coding and AI integration. Despite how successful their existing business had become, scaling up with mobile services required liquid funds that the company just didn’t have. Jimin welcomed his expanded role, but questioned if it would ever actually happen. In the meantime, he happily continued with his regular job.

The day was ending. He texted back and forth with Jeongguk about their plans for dinner. He grabbed his briefcase and was just about to leave for the day when Si-Hyuk met him at the back door.

“Ahh, there’s my number one consultant. Even better than my own son. Welcome back.”

“Good evening sir. It’s nice to be back,” Jimin responded.

“You enjoyed your time off, I assume?”

“Very much. This may have been the best vacation that I’ve ever taken.”

“The sister and nephew are all doing well?”

“They are,” Jimin nodded.  “Everyone is fine. But, sir, how are you? I see that business has really picked up. That’s always a good sign.”

“I know you’re on your way out, but can I speak with you privately for a few minutes? We need to continue our discussion.”

“Continue our discussion? What discussion?” Jimin honestly had no clue what Si-Hyuk was talking about.

“Follow me.”

Jimin followed Si-Hyuk into his office. He took a seat at Si-Hyuk’s large glass table. “What is this about? Is everything ok?”

“I fear that everything is not ok. Jimin, have you given any thought to my request? Do you have a decision for me?”

“Request…?” At first Jimin didn’t know what his boss was talking about. But after a few seconds of reflection, it came to him. “The cello. You want me to try to convince Jeongguk to sell his sister’s cello. Yes, I remember. You’ll be happy to know that I already asked. I did my best to try to convince him, but sir, I don’t think you understand how precious that instrument is to him. He said no, of course.” Jimin laughed, “I think he mentioned something about prying it from his cold dead hands. So that door is closed. I’m sorry it didn’t work out. The good news is that Jeongguk still has many months ahead, about ten. He’s doing very well and should be able to wrap up his sessions peacefully by then. If there’s nothing else, I need to get going. I have dinner plans.” Jimin rose to his feet.

“Sit down, Jimin.” Si-Hyuk was stern. His tone was one that Jimin had never heard before. There was a flash of anger across his face. “There is something else.” His face transitioned back to the kind old man that Jimin knew so well. He started with an apology, “I’m sorry for snapping. This is my fault really. You see…I gave you the impression that you had a choice in the matter regarding the cello. There really are no choices here, Jimin. I’m sad to say. You will need to have another conversation with Jeongguk and this time, I expect you to work much harder to convince him to sell that cello.” Si-Hyuk steepled his fingers, “Let me explain something to you Jimin. You’re on the cusp of being the most successful consultant this company has ever seen. The money that awaits you is astronomical. But we must complete the expansion for this to happen. Our company is at a crossroads. Revenue is great, but we need more. We don’t have liquid cash for the sourcing of my development. My vision is for Second Chances to be in every city in Korea. Every city in Japan, America, Australia, Africa. And for the cities that I can’t reach, I want to expand my mobile division, headed by you. Our future is bright here, Jimin. But it takes money. Now is not the time for us to rest on our past achievements. I need all of you, myself included, to go beyond what we did yesterday because what we did yesterday is not enough to survive tomorrow. I want all of our current clients on tier seven, if they have the means. Jeongguk has the means, so get him upgraded.” Si-Hyuk leaned forward and glared angrily into Jimin’s eyes, “You will get him to sell the cello. You will expand him to tier seven with a multi-year contract. Now do we understand each other?”

Jimin was simultaneously outraged and intimidated. “I’ve already told you he said no. I refuse to badger him to sell a precious artifact, simply so that you can ‘expand for tomorrow’. We have plenty of other clients who can be pressed for upgrades. I’ll work my ass off to make sure that all of them are transitioned, if they have the funds. But Jeongguk is not an option. He already said no. He’s a janitor. That cello is his only link to his family. It’s morally reprehensible to manipulate him into selling it only to give the money to this company. He lives in near poverty. If there is anything I wish for him, it is to make a better life for himself…not to spend more money here.”

Jimin’s words outraged Si-Hyuk, even though he managed to hide it. His cheeks reddened and his heart beat fast. He was insulted and he didn’t appreciate being disregarded. The gloves came off. He was tired of toying with Jimin and giving him space to defy him. It was time to apply a little pressure.

“I’ve been a good boss, wouldn’t you agree?”

“The best boss that I’ve ever had. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me over the last couple of years.”

“And I’ve treated you well, given you freedom to carve your own path?”

“Yes. You have. Like I said, you’ve been great. I look forward to many more years working for you.”

“See…that’s the thing. I’ve done so much for you but now when it’s time for you to return the favor, you want to be disloyal. I can’t allow that to happen.”

Jimin snapped, “Why won’t you let this go? I’ve already told you…,” 

Si-Hyuk snapped, revealing a different side of himself, “...and I’ve already told you that you have no fucking choice. This is not negotiable. Park Jimin, you think you’re hot shit. You think you have the world in the palm of your hand, but I have news for you. Everything you have, it’s because I gave it to you - through this job. And I can easily take it all away with the snap of my fingers. I like you. I truly believe that you’re the future of this company, considering that my son doesn’t want it. We can be great together, but please show a little fucking respect. I’ve given you an order and it’s non-negotiable. Make it happen.”

“Please don’t do this. I don’t have the influence over him that you think I do. He’s his own man. He’s healthy, he’s thinking clearly, he’s doing well in therapy. He won’t listen to me no matter how much he lo…,” Jimin caught himself. He almost revealed too much.

“I have a feeling that you’re exactly who he’ll listen to. You’ll do this for me Jimin…or else,” Si-Hyuk walked his rotund body around his office, circling Jimin. His tone changed, his expression darkened. 

“Or else? Or else what?” Jimin said flippantly, his anger rising.

Si-Hyuk leaned against the desk and poured himself a drink. “Remember those kidnapping charges? The charges that stemmed from the day you violently broke into the mental health facility and removed Jeongguk without permission? If you remember, I worked very hard to make sure those charges were buried. My friend at the DA’s office did a huge favor for me. She made all of your legal troubles just - vanish. With one snap of my fingers, they were gone. But if you cross me, with one snap of my fingers, your legal troubles will all come right back. You thought that nightmare was over, but I can start it all over again.” He grabbed Jimin’s chin with his meaty hand full of rings, “Don’t defy me. Now do as I fucking say or else I will make your life a living hell.”

“Sir, how could you? I thought we were friends,” Jimin purged his soul in a final plea for decency, “You’ve been like a father to me.”

“We are friends. And as I’ve said, you could be another son, just as close to me as my own blood. But first you must do as I say.”

“You’re blackmailing me,” Jimin said the words officially for the record. 

“Blackmail? No, silly boy. Blackmail involves a bunch of empty threats and if/then statements. My words to you are promises. Make this happen, or I promise I will destroy you. It really is that simple,” Si-Hyuk glared into Jimin’s face, unblinking. 

Jimin fought back tears. He was devastated, betrayed, blind-sided. “You’re really doing this to me? Me? Of all people? I’ve been the top producer in this fucking place for almost three years. I’ve worked tirelessly to build a name and reputation for myself and this company. I truly love you guys like you’re part of my family and this is how you repay me? Fuck you,” Jimin rose to his feet and stormed towards the door.

Si-Hyuk laughed, “Such a tantrum. If you truly want to become a second son, then you’ll call me soon to tell me this is done. The clock is ticking.”

 

Jimin drove home with tears in his eyes. Si-Hyuk’s betrayal stung like a snake bite. He wondered if Mingyu was aware of the plan to blackmail him. Something about Ming’s personality signaled that he and his father disagreed on many things. It was likely the root of why Ming wanted nothing to do with claiming his father’s business as a legacy for his son. The way Si-Hyuk moved was sleazy and backstabbing. Conversely, everything he knew about Mingyu told him that Ming didn’t share the same moral code, despite them being father and son.

Once again, Hayoon’s warnings all came flooding back to him. She never trusted Si-Hyuk. She always felt that anyone who could design such a manipulative and cruel machine was a spineless snake. It took Jimin years to realize that she was right. 

He tried to come up with a plan on how to approach Jeongguk. Surely the younger would sense something was wrong if Jimin brought up the topic of selling the cello again. Plus, in Jimin’s heart of hearts, he felt that Jeongguk had outgrown Second Chances. He no longer needed a crutch to keep his life together. It was abundantly clear to him that the reason Nara only purchased a tier three for three years was because she knew that Jeongguk would eventually grow emotionally stable enough to leave the service behind. She was so wise, up to her very last moment she was playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers. And she was right, Jeongguk was growing stronger each day. Jimin felt it was best for him to focus on Dr. Yuri’s techniques for healing. It was time for Jihyo to go. Jeongguk’s tendency to blur the lines between reality and simulation was a growing concern. Jimin couldn’t wait for the last ten months of paid service to be over. He wanted Jeongguk out of there and away from Si-Hyuk’s influence.

 Jimin parked in the parking deck across the street from Jeongguk’s building. He sat in his car for almost an hour thinking through his approach. None of it felt good. There was no easy way to manipulate his boyfriend for money. He hated it and hated everything about it. How had he gotten here? How had something so beautiful as Second Chances turned into something so ugly? Working for Si-Hyuk felt like making a deal with the devil. 

Jimin walked slowly. His legs felt heavy, like every step pulled him closer to hell. When he finally reached Jeongguk’s apartment, he rested his forehead against the door. And that’s when he heard it. The beautiful mesmerizing sound of Jihyo’s cello. Jeongguk was playing again. But instead of the long sad notes of  a lost soul, this tune was cheerful, upbeat, complex and happy. The notes flew from Jeongguk’s fingers at a pace so rapid that Jimin could barely hear all of them. He pressed his ear to the door to listen. The rich texture of his notes floated through the air like velvet. Jimin stretched his fingers towards the door as if to touch the notes and imbibe them as gospel. The rich sound resonated through the door, bringing the entire world to a standstill. 

An eargasm for the mind, Jimin just couldn’t get enough. He loved Jeongguk’s play so much that he begged him to serenade him every evening before going to bed. And every evening Jeongguk gave a performance that was better than the last. His willingness to play was not just a sign of his stability, but it was the sound of a man who was healing.

For ten minutes Jimin listened from the hallway as Jeongguk played. He never wanted the music to stop. Never. It occurred to Jimin that something big was happening, something wonderful. Ever since he’d played the concert with Jihyo in the simulation, Jeongguk was more and more willing to play. He even ventured in front of a crowd for the first time in years. Jimin wondered if Jeongguk was building to a day where he might reclaim his position as an Idol. There was a spark in Jimin’s heart. The thought of Jeongguk, who was once despondent, mute and institutionalized, fighting his way back to the top, was overwhelming. Tears once again flowed from Jimin’s eyes. It was too much to think about. So much good and bad and ugly all combined into one moment. 

It was then and there that Jimin made a decision. He was not going to ask Jeongguk to sell the cello. In fact, he was never going to mention it again. If it meant going to jail, then fuck it, he would go to jail. Besides, Hayoon was more than equipped to defend him if the case went that far. As for his job, he was prepared to lose that too. He had savings, suits, watches, all of which could be liquidated to survive. Jeongguk was most important to him and Jeongguk was all that he cared about. A weight lifted from his shoulders. His mood matched the sprightly music that was coming from Jeongguk’s apartment. He was prepared to face the consequences, whatever they were. He was still frightened and definitely uneasy, but at least he could live with himself.

 

The music stopped. And just as suddenly the door opened. Jeongguk found Jimin standing there. Jimin’s face was wet with tears and his expression was sad and pathetic. 

“Jiminie. What happened? Why are you crying?” Jeongguk asked lovingly.

Jimin was surprised. He hadn’t braced himself to face him just yet. “Oh. Hi. I was uh…looking for my key.”

“Your key is in your hand. Find another lie to tell. Come here. Tell me what’s wrong.” Jeongguk pulled Jimin into the apartment. Before sitting him down to start the conversation, he simply hugged him; a long deep, loving hug that reassured him. For the first time that day, Jimin felt as if everything was going to be okay. “What happened?”

“I don’t want to talk about it...I mean, I don’t think I can. I need some time to process all the shit going through my head right now. I’m ok or at least I’m going to be ok. I think?” Jimin responded.

Jeongguk pulled Jimin to the couch. He didn’t have any words. Words were not what Jimin needed and he understood that. Jimin needed a special kind of service that only Jeongguk could give. It had been days since they’d been together and Jeongguk was prepared. 

Jimin sat on the tattered old couch, gazing into Jeongguk’s eyes as he stood over him. The latter slowly undressed, dropping his black Janitor’s uniform to the ground and exposing his taut naked body. His muscles shifted and flexed as he masturbated himself in front of Jimin’s face.  He leaned his hips forward, gently pressing his cock against Jimin’s lips, waiting for them to part, “Let me in.”

With a smile, Jimin opened his mouth to serve. 

Placing his hands on his hips as if to control his pace, Jeongguk began a slow thrust, sliding in and out of Jimin’s mouth, dragging his tip across Jimin’s velvety soft tongue. After several strokes, he came, leaving his milky cream dripping from the corners of Jimin’s lips. 

Jimin didn’t swallow, because he knew that Jeongguk liked to kiss his own cum away. He waited patiently as the younger leaned down and delivered the kiss that washed aways his sinful seed.

Once finished, Jeongguk was ready to continue. Kicking his uniform away from his ankles, he turned to reveal a surprise; a purple amethyst-studded plug in his ass. Jimin had no idea how long it had been there, but when Jeongguk removed it, scented lube leaked from his hole, signaling he was ripe and ready to be taken like never before.

Jimin bit his bottom lip. He had fucked many, but Jeongguk was just different and each time he entered him, it became more and more apparent that he was his sexual superhero.

 

Jeongguk turned around and sat in Jimin’s lap. He straddled him while facing forward and then twisted around to kiss him with his balls and cock exposed between his pried open legs. Raising himself slightly to get into proper position, he squatted and then rapidly dropped his body, impaling himself over Jimin’s dick, taking the entire length with no hesitation. Immediately he leaned his head back onto Jimin’s shoulder, exposing his neck so that his lover could embed his fingers along the thick ridge of muscle. The younger one began to bounce, riding Jimin backwards while gripping the arms that caged him. The loud sound of clapping flesh against flesh was immediate. Jeongguk leaned forward, driving Jimin’s thrusting cock sideways into his inner walls before gripping both of Jimin’s knees until they burned red. He worked his ass up and down over the tender skin of his baby’s shaft, tapping his balls with each rhythmic bounce. He fucked him like he owned him.

Jimin ran his hands up and down Jeongguk’s back, kissing along his spine and teasing his neck. His fingers kneaded Jeongguk’s shoulders before delivering a sharp smack to his ass. The sight from behind, watching his sweet lover pleasure him, was deeply arousing. Unable to hold back, Jimin craved more. Abruptly, he pulled out, gently pushing Jeongguk off. 

Gripping the younger’s wrist firmly, Jimin guided him to the ground, spread his legs and then crawled over his thick muscular body until his cock once again found the wet, delicate, leaky hole. In an instant, he entered again, this time face to face, nose to nose, and mouth to mouth. Kissing Jeongguk with desperate intensity, Jimin drove into him with his needy cock.

“Fuck, fuck, fuck!” Jeongguk screamed from out of nowhere. He was cumming again even though he’d already orgasmed. 

Jimin laughed. His baby loved having his long dick up his ass. Jeongguk was so loose that Jimin could bang him hard with his entire length. The elasticity of the space gave Jimin freedom to savagely rotate his hips in full greedy circles. The clapping grew louder as Jimin’s moans grew louder. He’d never been in an ass that satisfied him so completely. He had never fucked another man who could take all of him like Jeongguk. 

He bit into Jeongguk’s neck like a vampire, sucking it until it bruised. He bit again in a different spot and then again. By the time he was finished, Jeongguk looked as if he had been in a fight - and lost. He was bruised from his neck down to his chest, all as a result of a biting kink that Jimin didn’t even realize he had.

The elder was dizzy with love, lust and a host of other emotions. He bucked into his baby, squelching lube between them. Balancing on one elbow, he raised his body so he could watch himself slide in and out of Jeongguk’s hole. His body shuddered erratically, making him feel like he was going insane.

“Cum for me,” Jeongguk begged. “Empty inside of me. I belong to you because I love you.”

“SHIT!” Jimin yelled. He had never heard Jeongguk say those words before. And they arrived at the peak moment possible.

And then there was silence. The wet hole became even wetter as it filled with Jimin’s cum. His breathing was so compressed that it sounded as if he were hyperventilating. He gave one final thrust and then convulsed.

Once again Jeongguk whispered words he was finally comfortable saying, “I love you. I mean it.”

Jimin queued up his response, even though it took him time to recover. As the quiet reclaimed their corner of the world, he gently spoke into Jeongguk’s ear, “I love you too.” 

It was their pattern to cure emotional distress by fucking. And they both felt cured. How ironic that they were finally able to say those words to each other, just as everything was about to fall apart.

***

March of the same year, two months after Si-Hyuk’s ultimatum to Jimin

 

For Jeongguk’s own mental health, Jimin decided not to tell him about the blackmail. But each time Jeongguk visited Second Chances for another session, Jimin wanted to vomit. Si-Hyuk was such a serpent, smiling and complimenting Jeongguk to his face all while plotting behind his back. They were on the countdown with only eight months to go before Jeongguk would be done. 

 

 Several months went by with Si-Hyuk doing frequent check-ins on Jimin’s progress. Jimin stalled for as long as he could, avoiding all conversations and confrontations with the boss. He was too intimidated to tell Si-Hyuk the truth; that he wasn’t going to say a word to Jeongguk about the cello. If Si-Hyuk wanted to expand his business, then he was going to do it without using Jeongguk as a pawn. 

He had made a vow to Nara that he would always protect him. He had made the same vow to Jeongguk. He was Jeongguk’s safe place and if he couldn’t keep that commitment, then their love and their relationship meant nothing. No matter what it cost Jimin personally, he was going to keep his word. He was in love. And people in love didn’t hurt each other. It was naive for Jimin to believe that Si-Hyuk would change his mind. He wanted to go to Mingyu to see if he would be willing to talk to his father and call off the dogs but blood was so much thicker than business and he had no reason to believe that Ming would side with him. So he kept quiet and suffered in silence.

 

And then the day he dreaded came to fruition. Si-Hyuk ran out of patience. The elder Lee found Jimin in the back as he was preparing to greet a new client. Hobi, Ming and the two new associates were all there with him, working on their individual cases. Si-Hyuk entered the room. He spoke directly to Jimin as if there was no one else there.

“Well, good evening Jimin. You’ve been avoiding me lately. I can assume that since you haven’t been man enough to address me, that you’ve decided against completing the task that I gave you? I’m very disappointed. I’ve tried to be patient and understanding, but you’ve given me no choice but to take a stand. Did you really think I was going to just sit by and allow your subordinance?” Two police officers suddenly appeared. They looked around the room, eyeing all of the sales people as they huddled in the corner. Si-Hyuk continued coldly, “I received disturbing news last week. The kidnapping charges against you have suddenly been reinstated. You’re a wanted man, Jimin. Breaks my heart to see this happen, but I believe in obeying the law, plus the DA is a good friend of mine and she’s decided to prosecute you. I can’t in good conscience allow you to remain free when I know that you’re wanted in a crime. I immediately called the Chief of police and told him what I knew.” He turned back to Jimin, “Officers. This is the man that you’re looking for. He was implicated in the kidnapping of Jeon Jeongguk about a year ago.” The police moved forward. They secured handcuffs around Jimin’s wrists as Jimin stood there in stunned silence.

“What’s going on here? You can’t do this. You can’t.” But Jimin knew very well that Si-Hyuk had friends in high places. And just as he had promised, he had the kidnapping charges reinstated.

Si-Hyuk shook his head, “And since I can’t allow a potential criminal to work for this company, you’re fired.” He continued, speaking directly to the officers, “See to it that his phone is taken away. He has connections and he needs to be isolated until he can have a fair hearing.”

Taking Jimin’s phone meant that he couldn’t contact Jeongguk or Hayoon. Si-Hyuk had sentenced him to a long stay in jail without any due process. Jimin, standing there cuffed in his $13 Million Won Brunico suit, pleaded with Hobi and Ming as the officers directed him towards the door, “Don’t let him do this to me. You know this isn’t fair. You know I didn’t do anything. He’s setting me up. If he can turn against me, he can turn against you. Please help me. At least call my sister,” Jimin begged.

“Sir, what’s going on here?” Hobi stepped forward in Jimin’s defense.

“Dad, what the fuck? Are you serious right now? You know good and well that Jimin hasn’t done anything wrong,” Mingyu insisted.

“We’ll let the courts handle that. If he’s found innocent of these heinous charges, then he’s free to come back to Second Chances. Now everyone please get back to work.” Si-Hyuk left the room.

 

Mingyu watched Jimin as he was hauled out of the building in handcuffs. He didn’t know what to say to him, so he said nothing. But he did chase after his father.

“Dad! Dad, wait.”

“What is it son?” Si-Hyuk was visibly upset even though he was the puppet master behind everything that was happening.

“We need to talk.” Ming said angrily to his father.

“Family matters should not be discussed in public. Let’s go to my office,” Si-Hyuk led the way.

Mingyu was blind with anger. Before the office door fully closed he was already yelling, “What the fuck is going on here dad? This isn’t like you. Being angry with me is one thing, but taking it out on Jimin is just childish and spiteful.”

“Don’t question how I run my business,” Si-Hyuk argued back.

“Having him arrested for a crime that you know he didn’t commit? Come on, what are you thinking? This little stunt could jeopardize our entire business.”

“And why do you care? You plan to walk away next year anyway. Don’t pretend that you care about anything that happens here.”

“Dad, please be reasonable. I know that the expansion is important to you, I know that you’re frightened that you won’t be able to come up with the capital. But this isn’t the way to deal with it. Besides, we don’t need Jeongguk’s money. We can find new clients who have more than just a fucking cello to use as collateral.”

“It’s not just about the money. It’s about Jimin and his absolute refusal to obey me. He has challenged me at every step and I won’t have it anymore. This is my business and he can’t get away with strutting through here as if he owns the place. I had to teach him a lesson. I had to break him. I gave him a chance to show me his loyalty, and he failed. We need that fucking cello!”

“You’re angry and you’re not being rational. Dad, you know that our company is barely staying above water. We’re fighting ten active petitions from various organizations who are trying to shut us down: The Seoul Ethical use of AI board, The Seoul Psychiatric board of review, the lawsuit  from Mrs. Lim. Everybody is after us. Doing this to Jimin is just the kind of thing that could get yet another petition filed against us. We’ve spent over a billion won fighting injunctions and attempts to shut us down. I’ve had to work my ass off to keep the allegations and petitions out of the press. We’ve been walking a morally grey line for years, and we don’t need any more scrutiny,” Mingyu lectured his father.

Si-Hyuk acted as if he heard nothing that his son said, “This business was born as a tribute to your mother and brother. My pain was unimaginable when I lost them, but instead of letting it destroy me, I did something about it. I created CHLOE and Second Chances and I have given thousands and thousands of people a second chance. The world needs this company. After years of failing in our expansion attempts, we finally have a way to do it. We’ve waited for years for a chance like this. The value of the instrument, if we can get it signed over to us, will make all of our dreams come true without to wait having any longer.”

“Don’t put this on Jimin. Don’t force him to be the one to save your company.”

“But he is the one who can save my company. He has more influence over Jeongguk than anyone else. He just won’t fucking cooperate. Don’t you understand? I had to throw him in jail to get his attention. Now he realizes that I mean business, he’s going to come running back to me. I thought he was the one who would be loyal…but it turns out that he’s just like everybody else. Undisciplined and selfish.”

“You mean he’s just like me? Is that what you’re really trying to say? Jimin is human, just like me. Let’s all be very honest right now dad. You were desperate to find someone who wanted this legacy since you think I turned my back on it. He reminds you of my dead brother so you latched on to him. From the day you met him, you’ve been obsessed with him because he feels just like your dead son. But he’s not him dad. Just like CHLOE isn’t mom. You’ve got to get your head out of the fucking clouds. Not everyone worships this place like you do. What you’re doing to him isn’t fair. It’s not Jimin’s fault that you’ve fumbled the bag and been unable to get the mobile expansion off the ground. It’s not anybody’s fault but  yours. You and your quest to make the dead more and more realistic. You and your obsession with erasing death like it doesn’t exist.” 

Tears welled in Si-Hyuk’s eyes. His son had never spoken to him like that before. The youngest had always been such a disappointment. He was nothing like his older brother and that enraged the elder, “Where did I go wrong with you? Why don’t you love me?”

Mingyu realized that he’d been too harsh. He was talking to a broken man who was slowly losing his grip on his sanity. It was unfair to force him to be rational at this stage. “I’m sorry dad. I didn’t mean to say those things. I’m very proud of what you’ve created. I love you and I love this business. Just because I plan to leave doesn’t mean that it’s not an incredible place. I just don’t have the stomach for it anymore. But I’ll never turn my back on you or this place. Whenever you need me, I’ll be here.”

“Now is the time to take action. Now Ming. I want that cello. A tier seven contract is exactly what we need to put us over the edge for our expansion. I have a plan, but I can’t do it without you.”

Mingyu shook his head. Trying to rationalize with his dad was a waste of time. The only thing left to do was help him. At least if he helped with his plan, Jimin and Jeongguk might have a chance to walk away without things escalating. He lamented, “Ok, dad. I’ll help. What do you need?”

“Since Jimin won’t help us get the cello, I need you to do it.”

“How?”

“Use the backdoor to enter Jeongguk’s program.”

“How is that possible? Jimin has passcodes all over it. Jeongguk’s program is the highest secured service we’ve ever had run through this building. Besides, I thought a program was impenetrable once a consultant put special codes around it?”

“I built the system, my boy. Surely you know that I left backdoors to get around my own rules. I’m going to shut down CHLOE for a few hours. You’ll be able to go in and reset it and then alter it. We’re going to add some very aggressive role play that will leave him no choice but to agree to sell the cello and advance his tiers. Since Jimin no longer works here, we don’t have to worry about him ever finding out and telling Jeongguk about the tampering. Jeongguk will think Jimin programmed it and no one will have a clue. His next session is in two days. That’s how long you have to complete the updates.”

“Dad, please don’t ask me to do this. It’s wrong on so many levels.”

“Once we get Jeongguk to sell the cello, we’re going to advance his tiers. With that kind of money, we’ll be able to suck him in for years and years, after demanding a large deposit of course.”

Mingyu shook his head. He barely recognized his father. He sunk into the chair and began to cry. He had always seen the end coming, but he didn’t realize it would be this soon. He had reached the point where he could no longer work with his own father. It was time to let go.

“I’ll do this for you. But once this is over, I’m walking out. You’ll never see me in this place again.” Mingyu slammed the door on his way out of his father’s office.

***

 

When Jimin didn’t come home, Jeongguk didn’t panic. He knew that Jimin had been under alot of stress recently and he assumed that he just stayed at his own place. But when Jimin didn’t answer his phone calls, Jeongguk began to worry. Two days passed with no word from him.

Jeongguk had no idea where Jimin was. He called several times to speak with the consultants at Second Chances but each time he was patched through to Mingyu. Si-Hyuk had forbidden Mingyu to say a word to anyone about their plan so he covered by telling Jeongguk that Jimin was out of town servicing a new client as part of the launch of the mobile service. But Jeongguk was suspicious of that claim because the mobile expansion hadn’t happened yet. Besides, there was no way that Jimin would leave town and not tell him. Something was going on, but he wasn’t sure what. Without revealing he and Jimin’s relationship, there wasn’t much more that he could say. He had to pretend to just be a concerned client looking for his consultant. He didn’t dare let on that they practically lived together. 

 

By the start of the third day, Jeongguk was frantic. Jimin still wasn’t answering his phone. Desperate for information he tried one last time to call Second Chances. This time he specifically asked to speak with Hobi. He tried to sound nonchalant when Hobi came to the phone, “I haven’t heard from Jimin and usually he calls to confirm our appointment. I have an appointment scheduled for this afternoon. Will Jimin be there? It’s a very important session,”  Jeongguk explained to Hobi.

“No, I’m afraid that Jimin is out of town on business. I’ll be covering your session during his absence. I just spoke with him a couple of hours ago. He, uhh, was calling from a friend’s phone because his phone is broken,” Hobi lied to cover the fact that Jimin was trapped in jail without his phone. He was so afraid of what Si-Hyuk might do to him if he snitched that he chose to betray the one person who could possibly help Jimin.

“Fine. I’ll be there in a couple of hours. Maybe we can call Jimin together to get to the bottom of this. He’s my consultant and I don’t appreciate him leaving me with a substitute without telling me first,” Jeongguk made the point that he wasn’t going to go away quietly without understanding why they were trying to cover up Jimin’s disappearance. 

The last thing that Jeongguk was interested in was a session. As much as he loved Jihyo, he had to get to the bottom of what was going on with Jimin. The crew at Second Chances knew much more than they were saying. He hoped to find out more once he got there.

***

There were many things about Second Chances that made Hobi reconsider working there. But what he witnessed happen to Jimin was the last straw. Despite how good the money was, he just didn’t think he could go on working for someone as backstabbing as Si-Hyuk. The man always loved Jimin, or at least he pretended to. The fact that he turned against him and tried to ruin him was almost impossible to believe.

Hobi was fed up, disgusted and disenchanted. His days as a consultant were just about over. But he had a plan; to work for the remainder of the month and then resign. It was only fair to give his clients a heads up so they could make other arrangements and get assigned to new consultants. 

His mind was on Jimin constantly. The constant calls from Jeongguk didn’t help. He felt empty inside each time he had to lie about where Jimin had really gone. He wasn’t sure about the status of the relationship between the two of them, but he was almost certain that it was more than friends. It had been days since Si-Hyuk had Jimin falsely arrested and no one had heard from him since. His firing was so abrupt that Jimin never even had a chance to clean out his desk or gather his files. It was a complete meltdown by Si-Hyuk and very unhinged. 

As a last minute shift, Hobi was assigned to all of Jimin’s clients. As if he didn’t have enough work of his own, he had to cover Jimin’s shifts with no additional pay or share of the profits. He was being fucked over almost as badly as Jimin. 

Si-Hyuk’s timeline was especially cruel because Jeongguk was due to come in for a session. Hobi ventured into PROD 13 to prepare for Jeongguk’s arrival. As Hobi pulled up Jeongguk’s program, he noticed that all of the special phrases and gestures that Jimin used to secure the program had been removed. It was strange. Consultants never touched each other’s programs except under extenuating circumstances. The fact that Jimin had only been gone for a couple of days, yet someone had already fucked with his program was beyond suspicious.

“CHLOE, log please,” Hobi said. “Last 48. I’m looking for access records.”

“Hi Hobi. Sure.” Within seconds, CHLOE provided a full log of who had accessed Jeongguk’s program over the last forty-eight hours. “Looks like Mingyu was the last to perform maintenance,” CHLOE advised.

“Ming?” Hobi was stunned to find that Mingyu had not only removed all of Jimin’s protections but had added erroneous information that was not approved by Jimin. “What the hell is going on here? CHLOE, what are these edits to the Jeon file?”

“The bulk of the program has not been altered. It remains unchanged. However, there has been additional code added at the end. Nothing to be concerned about, only 104 TB of adjustments. Nothing really.”

“Ok, but what are the adjustments?” Hobi’s stomach churned. He didn’t like the idea of Ming getting unapproved access to Jeongguk’s file. 

“Hm, let’s see. Here it is.” CHLOE dropped a random set of code. It filled the screen with a scroll that lasted almost one minute. “See, it isn’t much. There is new role play. The script spans lines 78.902.722 through 209.244.981.”

Hobi found the script changes and read through them as quickly as possible. There were screen grabs and photos coupled with new roleplay scripts. “Recreate murder, reference 255J,” Hobi read aloud. “Murder? What murder? What are these photos? Who’s murder? CHLOE who’s murder?”

CHLOE answered right away, “The murder of Jeon Jihyo. There are no records of the official case. But there are records from the trial and witness accounts from someone who was driving a car involved in an accident on that same night. I found the photos of the crime scene and the body in the morgue. Both are scheduled to be shown during Jeongguk’s session today.” CHLOE glowed pink. She was satisfied with her sourcing of information. 

“Jeongguk’s sister was murdered? And they plan to add this information to the simulation? For what?”

“To trigger a psychotic event. Si-Hyuk submitted a false report to the Seoul Mental Clinic to warn them that Jeongguk’s behavior had been growing increasingly sporadic. He reported that he felt threatened and that Jeongguk was a danger to both himself and others. He arranged for the representatives from the clinic to be here today during Jeongguk’s session to monitor his behavior. I was given instruction to calculate the approximate minutes of exposure required to provoke a psychological break. That is why the crime scene photos are being used as accelerators. According to my calculations, this should be enough stimuli to gain the desired result in less than three minutes. At that point, he should begin experiencing symptoms that qualify as manic behavior. The representatives will then be able to help him.” CHLOE glowed pink. She revealed the devious plan casually, not fully understanding what she was helping her humans do.

Hobi grabbed his chest and fell against the wall. “Fuck me! No no no no no. I can’t allow this. Ming and Si-Hyuk are planning to try to drive him crazy to justify having him committed again?”

“Hmm, crazy is not a technical term that I understand. They do plan to provoke a textbook manic episode with the corresponding behavior.” CHLOE flashed pink.

Hobi didn’t have a full grasp of the plan. He didn’t understand why they were doing this. But what he did know was that Jeongguk was being set up and he had to stop it. 

“Please go, CHLOE. I need to be alone.”

“Goodbye. Call if you need me. I’ll be around,” CHLOE went offline.

Hobi panicked. Jeongguk was due to arrive at any moment. He couldn’t allow Mingyu and Si-Hyuk to initiate this plan. He had to stop it. But how? He was being watched and likely recorded. If he dared do anything to stop it, he could be hauled into jail just like Jimin. Si-Hyuk would find a way to punish him too. He paced back and forth trying to think of a plan. 

The building was stifling him so he burst through the back door and continued pacing in the alley. He paced and paced, kicking over trash cans and kicking the walls. He didn’t know how to stop this. His mind was so wrecked with fear and disgust that he couldn’t think straight. He pounded his fist against his head, desperate to come up with something. And just when he was about to give up, he turned and faced the parking lot. Sitting right there in front of him was the answer…

***

 

Jeongguk had so many questions and he was ready to demand answers. Why was everyone at Second Chances covering for Jimin’s disappearance? Had they done something to him? Was he possibly hurt or in pain? Or could Jimin have just run off, scared of how fast their relationship was moving? Jeongguk didn’t know what to think. It was true that he and Jimin’s relationship had escalated quickly, but he refused to believe that he meant so little to Jimin that he would just disappear without telling him. 

He stepped off of the bus a block away from the Second Chances building. He was supposed to have a concert with Jihyo but with Jimin being gone, he had to take the bus because he didn’t have a car. He didn’t feel it was wise to ride the bus with a multi-million dollar cello, so he left it safely tucked away in his apartment. As he walked through the back alley behind the entrance, he noticed Jimin’s car sitting in the parking lot.

“Jimin? You’re back?” He immediately ran to the car and peered through the windows. There was no sign of Jimin. In fact, just the opposite. On the day that Jimin disappeared, Jeongguk had purchased Jimin a soboro bun from his favorite bakery. The empty wrapper was still sitting in the front seat. Jimin was maniacal about keeping his fancy Porsche clean. He would have never left a wrapper without throwing it away. In Jeongguk’s mind this only meant one thing; the last time Jimin had been in his car was two days previous when he disappeared. Jeongguk’s heart raced. Something bad was happening. Was it time to call the police? As Jeongguk backed away from the car, he noticed a neon pink envelope sitting underneath the windshield wiper. He ripped it open and read it right away. It was from Hobi:

 

Jeongguk, do not cause a scene. Walk away from the car and find a safe place across the street to read this.

 Jeongguk looked around. He stuffed the note in his pocket and walked casually to a bench across the street in the park. 

Once there, he quickly pulled the note out again. It continued:

 

I know where Jimin is. He’s been arrested. He’s locked up in the Seoul Detention Center on kidnapping charges. His phone has been confiscated which is why he hasn’t called you. He has no way to communicate with anyone. The kidnapping charges stem from the day he broke you out of the institution to see your Grandmother. Both you and Jimin are being set up by Ming and Si-Hyuk. Call his sister, I think she can help. In the meantime, I have very important information to share with you. Read this note carefully and then burn it or eat it or whatever. We can’t take the risk of anyone at Second Chances finding it. Ming and Si-Hyuk are setting you up. The plan is to fabricate a manic episode and use it as a reason to get you re-committed to the mental facility. Jeongguk, they have intercepted your program and they have planted triggering information that Jimin doesn’t know about. I stumbled upon it accidentally and was able to trace the code back to Ming. If you ignore everything else in this letter, please don't ignore the next few words that I’m about to tell you. Around the seventeen minute mark of the initial hour of your session, they plan to spam you with images of your sister’s crime scene photos. I know this is upsetting, but I had to warn you. You must leave the simulation before that happens. CHLOE has calculated the exact amount of negative stimulation to trigger you into a psychotic episode. YOU MUST LEAVE THE SIMULATION BEFORE IT GETS TO THAT POINT. The program is never wrong. It knows you and everything about you. It knows your history and your trigger points and as of two days ago, it knows how your sister died. The program is being used against you. Don’t let them win Jeongguk. YOU MUST LEAVE THE SIMULATION EARLY. To keep anyone from being suspicious, just attend the session as normal. I’ll meet you there and we will pretend to know nothing. Don’t let anyone know what I’ve told you in this letter. Just act normal. Make up an excuse as to why you have to leave and then get the fuck out of there before the mark 0:17

 

Live to fight another day. Good luck. Hobi.

 

Jeongguk grabbed a hot cup of coffee from a vendor who was nearby. He balled the note up and then dropped it into the coffee and held it down until it disintegrated. As quickly as his fingers could type, he sent a text to Hayoon to tell her where to find Jimin. At least while he was playing the game with Ming and Si-Hyuk, she could be working on getting Jimin out of jail. He didn’t give her much detail, only told her how to find him and who had sent him there. It was time for his session to begin and he was running late and it was not like him to ever be late.

***

Hobi and Jeongguk made small talk as they walked towards PROD 13. Jeongguk made a point to fuss about Jimin’s sudden disappearance and the unprofessionalism of ghosting him before a session. He and Hobi played the role for their entire walk through the hallway. Once Jeongguk got to his PROD, Hobi slipped inside with him. It was not unusual for the consultant to join the client at the very beginning of their sessions, but it was highly unusual for them to stay beyond 10-15 minutes.  

The program started immediately and all Hobi had to do was verbally ask CHLOE to begin. That was quite unusual and it caught Jeongguk’s attention. If there was anything that Jimin was meticulous about, it was all of his gyrations and machinations and secret codes that he had programmed at the start of the sessions to control access. Jeongguk knew instantly that the program had been tampered with. The information that Hobi had given him was true. 

Jihyo popped up right away. The session started as planned; with her admonishing Jeongguk for forgetting to bring his cello. She quickly got over it and offered to play for him instead. She was working on a new piece and she wanted his feedback on places where she could improve. 

Something else was odd. Jihyo was very tolerant of Jimin staying for a while after the sessions began but she almost never continued if Hobi was in the room. The last time he overstayed, she stared daggers through him until he was so uncomfortable that he left. But this time, she acted as if he wasn’t even there. She saw him. She made eye contact with him, but she didn’t demand that he leave. That was more proof for Jeongguk that something wasn’t right. 

Jeongguk tapped his pen on the glass table with a cadence that matched Jihyo’s music. “Let’s take it from the top shall we? I’d love to hear what you’ve put together so far,” he glanced awkwardly at Hobi.

Time was passing quickly and soon Hobi would have to leave. He wasn’t sure when would be a good time to get Jeongguk out of there, but it had to be soon. He absolutely refused to leave without him. 

Jihyo began to play. And as soon as she did, Jeongguk shifted all of his attention to her. His sister was so talented. Even though he knew what was happening, he allowed himself to be bewitched by her. He loved staring into her face and seeing all of the places where her face matched his. He was her big brother by four whole minutes. Given another time and space, she might have been the older one. That fact always fascinated him. 

He watched her fingering along the neck of her replicated cello. It wasn’t right…technically it was correct, but the style didn’t belong to her. The padding of her fingertips were flat, causing some of her notes to be out of tune. Whoever had fucked with her program had set it off kilter and erased the fine details of her technique. It had taken Jimin months of careful analysis of her real life concerts to code her technique accurately. It was a shame to see it all pissed away overnight. 

Jeongguk felt himself start to get angry. He wasn’t sure what he had done to these people for them to fuck with him and Jimin’s lives, but he vowed to get to the bottom of it as soon as Jimin was safely home.  As he listened to Jihyo play, he noticed that she wasn’t really focused. She kept looking off to the side as if she was waiting for someone. She was so distracted that Jeongguk stopped her mid-margin. 

“What is it? Why are you distracted?” Jeongguk understood enough about how the simulation worked to know that machines didn’t get distracted. That was a very human trait that only humans could possess. 

“I’m not.”

“Well start again. You’re off key,” Jeongguk said as lovingly as possible.

“Okay,” but her focus didn’t get any better. In fact it got worse. And then she stopped playing all together and spoke to someone just beyond Jeongguk’s view. “What took you so long? They’re about to start giving Hobi the side-eye for still being in here. I sent a message that the program was glitching but CHLOE fixes that stuff within nanoseconds so they aren’t going to buy it for long.”

Jimin suddenly appeared next to Jihyo. His image was as clear as the real life Jimin who was locked in a cell thirty miles away, “Sorry, but I had to wait for just the right time. Otherwise, they’ll detect me,” Jimin said.

Hobi jumped to his feet. His day just kept getting more and more interesting, “Holy shit. How did you get in here? Jimin what the fuck? What the hell is happening?” Jimin’s image was the absolute last image he expected to see. Only upon very close inspection, did Hobi realize that he was a hologram that had been coded into the program. He glitched with a slight discoloration, but it was him.

Jihyo stood quickly, allowing the cello to fall to the ground, “I’ll monitor the alerts. CHLOE is going to know there’s a virus as soon as the runtime stalls. Talk fast,” Jihyo said as she read a wall of code looking for the intruder notification. Her image floated just off-screen.

Jimin spoke fast, “Jeonggukie, if you’re seeing this, your program has been breached. I embedded a fail safe switch, kind of like a virus alarm that would automatically launch this warning if any of my protection around the program was removed. Last night, someone removed your security protection. I don’t know who. But it triggered this program to launch. I built this emergency notification about a month ago when I started receiving threats from Si-Hyuk. You can take this information to the police if you need it. I pray you’ll never need it. If you’re watching this, something has happened to me. I don’t know where I am or how it happened. I only know that whatever comes up in the simulation after I leave, was not programmed by me. I don’t trust Mingyu and Si-Hyuk. I don’t yet know what they’re up to. I only know that they want your cello and they’ll do anything to get it. I was in their way, so they had to get rid of me. I just don’t know how or where I am. I pray that I’m still alive. But you have to protect yourself. Get out, get away from here and don’t ever come back. Oh God, Jeongguk. I don’t know how to say this but…you have to delete the program and all of the records. Only you or I can delete. They won’t expect this from you. They think you’re too weak. They’re arrogant and overconfident. They think you’re just like the other desperate people who give away their life’s fortune to be here. They think they’re the reason that you’re still alive and out of the institution. You have to prove them wrong. You’re much stronger than they give you credit for. Nara was the only one who understood you. She knew how much strength you had inside. You didn’t reclaim your life because of Second chances. You did it for yourself and by yourself through hard work and courage like I’ve never seen. You have the power to heal. You have the power to own your own life. You don’t need this fantasy anymore. You proved months ago that you’ve dealt with her death. You’ve dealt with your guilt. You’ve dealt with all of it because you are the secret to your own healing. Let her go. Release her. Delete the program, baby. Don’t let them have any more power over you. The rest is up to you.” Jimin was just about to leave when he suddenly turned and came running back, “Oh and uh, if they really did do anything to me, let Hayoon handle it. She’ll rip their dicks off with her cute little pink manicured nails. I love you, Jeongguk, in case you didn’t already know.” He ran out of sight as if he were being chased by something.

Hobi sat with his mouth agape. Jimin’s timing was impeccable. He still had at least three minutes to flee before anyone became suspicious. He couldn’t believe how savvy Jimin was with getting his message to Jeongguk. He felt like he was watching a scene from a fucking movie. 

Jihyo returned. Her eyes were red and full of tears. “You heard him. You have to…delete me. I guess this is goodbye. It’s been so nice spending time with you. I’m so proud to be your sister. I’ll miss you Jeongguk.”

“I can’t leave you. What will I do without you? I -I don’t know how to live without you.”

“Sure you do. You just…continue living. It’s pretty simple really. Although I do think you should find Jimin. I have a feeling that living will be way more fun with him by your side. I like him. You have my permission to get married or whatever,” She managed to laugh despite the tears flowing down her cheeks.

“I can’t delete you. It would be like killing you all over again.”

“Nope, not the same at all. I’m already dead. My death sucked, wouldn’t recommend it. But this big brother, this is just a… fantasy. I’m not real. I’ve never been real, so I cannot die again. I simply change form. I’ll be with you in pictures, memories, videos and my cello. Delete me big brother. It’s time for me to go.”

“Nooo,” Jeongguk fell to his knees and cried out to his sister’s image. He tried to touch her, but his hand just floated through nothingness. “I can’t. I can’t let you go. I just got you back. I can’t let you go. Please, don’t make me. Don’t make me.”

Jihyo was clear, “I’m not making you. I have no power here. I will stay for as long as you want me to stay. But is that the right thing to do? This is why this is so hard because you, yourself, must be strong enough to make this decision. Only you can end this. Only you can save yourself. You have more courage than you know and you can do this.” Jihyo smiled. She continued to cry. 

An alarm started to sound from the ceiling. “CHLOE has detected the stall. You have to move quickly, Jeongguk. She’s going to find Jimin’s message if you don’t shut it down right now,” Hobi warned. 

“I release you. Now please, let me go,” Jihyo said.

“Noooooo!” Jeongguk grabbed his shirt and began to claw at his skin. He rocked back and forth as his anxiety soared.

He pulled at his hair and screamed at the top of his lungs. He couldn’t do it. He couldn’t let her go - but he had to. It was time and he knew it. But that didn’t stop it from ripping his heart out. That didn’t stop him from thinking the worst. What if Jimin was wrong? What if he wasn’t strong enough? What if deleting her sent him spiraling once again towards the brink of madness? What if this was exactly the wrong thing to do? It was too much. It was too much to ask of him. He couldn’t let her go. He couldn’t. He screamed again and threw the steel chair through the glass table, causing it to shatter to pieces. 

Jihyo continued to cry. “Calm down Ggukie. You’re making a scene…and for what? All you’re going to get out of this is a hefty repair bill. Do what you need to do and get on with your life. They’re coming. You don’t have much time. I don’t know what they’ve put at the end of this program, but something tells me it’s pure evil. Protect Jimin, protect me, protect yourself and delete this,” she said sternly.

Jeongguk couldn’t see through all of his tears. He looked at Hobi who had turned several shades of green. If Jeongguk didn’t agree to delete the program, Hobi’s entire plan to save him would be revealed. He would likely end up in jail with Jimin. Not to mention, the code that Mingyu had added to Jeongguk’s program was only minutes away from splashing images of Jihyo’s dead body all across the room for Jeongguk to see. Hobi knew this was the end; the end of his career, the end of his high paying job, and possibly the end of his freedom. Everything depended on a heroic act that Jeongguk didn’t seem capable of performing.

 

Jeongguk replayed Jimin’s words in his head. He thought back to the first time he ever saw him. He thought back to the first time he heard his voice, saw his face and touched his hand. He thought back to the cheesy gay novels he used to read. He thought back to his frustrated pout that would appear every time he couldn’t get Jeongguk’s eyes just right in his sketches. He thought back to all of the care and consideration he had put into bringing Jihyo back to life. He thought back to the first time that he ever heard Jimin tell him that he loved him. 

It all washed over him, leaving him with an abundance of clarity. Perhaps it was never Jihyo or Second Chances that pulled him from his world of silence. Perhaps all along…it had been Jimin. He was the reason that Jeongguk regained his curiosity about life. Jimin was the reason he wanted to keep living, just to see what came next. Jimin was the reason all along. 

There was no way out. The choice was between saving himself and saving Jimin. He had to save Jimin. His tears burned as they dripped from his chin, thin mucus ran from  his nose and mixed with his saliva in long strings of grief that clung to the corners of his mouth. He could barely breathe. He could barely think. He couldn’t barely believe what he had to do. As the pain engulfed him, he heard the faint sound of a solo cello begin to play in his head. All sound was drowned out, including the pleas from Hoseok. The images around him grew blurry as the white fog surrounded him. His lips shriveled inwards, muting him once again.  The image of Gong driving the knife into Jihyo’s stomach swirled in his head, filling the white’s of his eyes with her blood. The white fog grew denser in order to push the memory away.

 

But then suddenly, one piercing voice cut through the music and sliced through the fog like a machete. It was Jimin’s voice, telling him to be brave and to do what he had to do. He looked around for Jimin, but he wasn’t in the room. It was just another voice in his head, but it was the only voice that mattered. The voice that had spoken to him a million times encouraged him to take control. Jimin’s words that he had spoken in the simulator replayed over and over, giving Jeongguk the strength to fight his oppressive thoughts. 

The Maestro rose to his feet from the pile of shattered glass. His hands were bloody, his face was soaked with tears, and his hair was tasseled all over his head. The white fog began to recede and his mind was no longer muted by loud blaring music. He could see clearly and he could think clearly. 

Jeongguk spoke in a whisper at first, aiming his words at Jihyo, “I’m sorry that I couldn’t save you. I will make peace with that, eventually. I love you, little sister. You’re free to go.” And then, just before the door burst open, with his voice cracking from the tight contraction of his throat and the air he pushed hard from his lungs, he screamed, “DELETE PROGRAM!” He screamed so loudly that he bruised his larynx, causing him to lift his hands to his throat..

“Deleting,” CHLOE said instantaneously.

 

Si-Hyuk burst in. He was flanked by two guards from Seoul Mental Clinic. The room was flooded with light and they could see miles and miles and miles and miles of code vanishing in mid-air through the reflection in the pile of shattered glass. Two years of Jimin’s work, all demolished in a matter of seconds. Si-Hyuk’s eyes were wide. He screamed to CHLOE, “UNDELETE. PAUSE. DO NOT DELETE.” But it was too late. CHLOE had already scrubbed over 90% of the data. 

By the time she responded, there was almost nothing left. She continued, “My apologies. But this program is unrecoverable. Would you like me to cease the deletion? There is approximately 1% of the program remaining.” 

The men with Si-Hyuk were wearing scrubs and badges that said Seoul Mental Hospital. These were the people that Si-Hyuk had called to haul Jeongguk back to the mental institution.

CHLOE flashed pink. “Program cannot be recovered. It is against the law to withhold PII data once the owner has requested its deletion. This program cannot be recovered. I was also unable to apply the required stimuli. The client’s thresholds were not met due to the deletion of the program. 

In all of his weeks of planning, Si-Hyuk had never anticipated that Jeongguk would have the strength to delete his own program. Someone had tampered with his plan. Someone had betrayed him. His gut told him it was Jimin. Angrier than he’d ever been, he had to come up with a plan B. “Gentlemen. As you can see, this man is having some sort of episode. Look what he’s done to this room. He’s a threat to me and to himself. He needs help. I’m requesting you take him for evaluation to Dr. Sung at the Seoul Mental Clinic.”

The two men moved towards Jeongguk to secure him. “Come with us sir. We’ll make sure you get some help and have someone to talk to.”

“Seoul Mental facility? Evaluation? No! I’m not going back there. There’s been some mistake. I’m not having a melt down. I broke the table by accident. It was because of him.”  Jeongguk pointed to Si-Hyuk.  “He tried to set me up. I was just upset but I’m not crazy. He wants you to think that I’m crazy. You have to believe me. This is a set up.” The two large men moved towards him. One of them grabbed his wrist while the other tried to place him in a headlock. Jeongguk was incredibly strong and he was not going down without a fight. “NOOOOO, get off of me. I’m not going back. You’re not taking me back. You have no right. You have no right.” He kicked and punched, making it almost impossible for the two men to get a handle on him. The larger of the two men picked him up and tried to carry him, but Jeongguk wedged both of his feet against the wall and springboarded backwards, causing both him and the guard to fall to the ground.

Hobi screamed, “Let him go! This isn’t right! This is a mistake! Si-Hyuk, can we please just talk about this? Let him go. Please let him go.” Hobi was quickly pushed out of the way. 

Si-Hyuk looked on with concern. He played the victim very well, keeping his distance as he stood safely in the hallway away from Jeongguk’s violent tantrum.

And Jeongguk continued to fight, taking down both guards multiple times. He got free and ran for the door but one of the guards grabbed him by his ankle and tumbled him back down. He slammed to the ground with a sickening crunch against his ribs. The wind was knocked out of him. His fists still flew, punching each guard in the face multiple times. One of them pulled away with a broken nose. Like the skilled fighter he was, Jeongguk landed every single blow. He fought to the death like a caged animal, refusing to give up. He fought with such furor that anyone watching would surely think that he was mentally unwell. He continued to dominate until one of the guards lunged for him and punched him in the side of the neck with a loaded syringe. 

“NOOOO!” Hobi screamed.

Jeongguk grabbed his neck. “Fuck you. Fuck you.” His eyes filled with tears because he knew they had him. Whatever they had given him, he could feel it course through his veins immediately. His body continued to flail, but with each passing second, he became less and less reactive. In less than ten seconds, he was knocked out cold. They placed him on a stretcher and carried him out of the building.

Si-Hyuk nodded towards Hobi. “I’m sorry you had to witness that. He’s become increasingly more volatile over the last few months. He’s a danger to all of us as well as himself. Now he can finally get the help he needs.” 

Hobi was speechless. First Jimin and now Jeongguk. He was determined to find out what was going on. As soon as Si-Hyuk returned to his office, Hobi sprinted down the hallway to PROD 1. He barged in, face red, teeth gritted. He shook with anger. “What the fuck are you doing? You tried to drive him crazy and when that didn’t work you drugged him and sent him to the institution anyway. You even had guards stationed here to haul him away. You’ll go to jail for this Ming and I’ll make sure of it!” Hobi yelled, completely disregarding the fact that Ming was with a client.  

“Excuse me Mrs. Min. I believe my coworker is confused. Allow me to speak with him and then I’ll be right back to get your simulation started. 

Ming grabbed Hobi by the arm and dragged him to the back room. “What the fuck? You see that I’m with a client. What are you losing your shit about?”

“I know what you did. I pulled the logs. Did you really think CHLOE would go against her programming and know to hide the logs from me? I saw what you put in his file you asshole. You and your creepy fat ass dad were trying to push Jeongguk into a mental breakdown. That’s why you had guards already here waiting for him! I know everything.”

Ming turned pink with embarrassment. He’d been caught.

“How did you…find out?”

“CHLOE. I did a simple log command and she showed me…,”

Mingyu interrupted him, “Wait, what guards? What do you mean we were trying to push him into a mental breakdown? Just because I added a script to try to convince him to sell his cello?”

“Don’t play dumb with me you asshole. The shit about the crime scene photos of his dead sister. You added them to the simulation and then asked CHLOE to calculate what it would take to break him down.”

“Crime scene photos? What are you talk…,” Mingyu stopped short. It all came to him in terrifying clarity. He knew that his father had recently discovered the truth about Jeongguk’s sister. But he never thought he would use any of that information against him. 

“Yes, crime scene photos. The most vile shit imaginable. I hope you and that fuckass you call a father rot in hell for this. Oh and by the way, I fucking quit!” Hobi threw his tie to the ground and barged out.

 

As Hobi barged out through the back door, Mingyu ran to his fathers office. He had to confront him and get to the truth. 

He rushed through the door, “What crime scene photos? What fucking crime scene photos?” Ming screamed as loudly as his voice would carry.

“Just a little motivation to make sure that our plan worked.”

“What did you do to him dad? Where’s Jeongguk?”

“He’s in the asylum where he belongs. He ruined my plan and deleted the program before the simulation was able to show him the photos, but it didn’t matter. He still had a complete meltdown and tore up the PROD room. The guy is unstable, he belongs in the mental institution for good.”

“We agreed that I was just going to add a few subliminal messages from Jihyo to convince him to sell the cello. That’s what I added. That’s all that I added. That is all that we agreed to. We never said anything about crime scene photos.”

“Wasn’t enough. The plan changed. So I made a few adjustments myself.”

Mingyu held back tears. This was not the time to have a breakdown in front of his father, “You planned to show him pictures of his dead sister, knowing that was what drove him crazy in the first place?”

“Yes and it would have worked except someone intercepted the program. Doesn’t matter, I was still able to make a case for the clinic to take him back. You should have seen the way he kicked and screamed, total lunatic,” Si-Hyuk flipped through papers. He was pleased with himself. “You should be thanking me. I have friends in high places over at the clinic and they’ll keep him as long as I tell them to. Director Sung and I have been friends for years. He’s a client here and runs the mental clinic. He’ll handle Jeongguk per my instructions. Now his freedom will become our bargaining chip. If Jeongguk signs the cello over to us, both he and Jimin will earn their freedom. Refuse and…well, they won’t refuse.” Si-Hyuk smiled at his son. “I want you to look over the applications for the development company in India. They’re one of the best. I think we can get them up and running right away on the technology for the mobile strips.”

“Oh Dad.” Mingyu fell into the chair and wept into his hands. “You have no idea what damage you’ve caused. You have no idea what you’ve done. Do you really think Jimin is going to just let you win? Jeongguk isn’t crazy. Once the drugs wear off he’s going to tell everyone what you did. They’ll let him out as soon as he’s able to tell them what happened.”

Si-Hyuk looked at his son with disgust. Watching him cry on the cusp of such a breakthrough was pathetic. He did what he could to console him, “I wouldn’t worry too much about Jeongguk. It’s just a matter of time before he turns that cello over to me. I have a feeling this will all be behind us by tomorrow.”

***

 

For three days Jimin lived in filth inside of the Seoul Detention Center. He had no idea when he would be released or when he would be allowed a phone call. He could only imagine how worried Jeongguk must have been. He needed to find some way to contact someone or risk rotting in jail for weeks. He hadn’t eaten, he hadn’t showered and he was cold. He was starting to lose hope.

So when the guard advised him that Hayoon was there to bail him out, he was floored. He had no idea how she had found him or how she knew that he was in trouble, but she was there. It took an hour to get him processed out. He walked into the waiting area and there she was. Her long blonde hair was a shade darker than his, her expensive navy blue power suit was fitted and perfectly tailored, her red bottom heels spanned at least twelve centimeters, and her leather briefcase that once belonged to their mother, was stuffed full with Jimin’s paperwork. She was every bit the power attorney that the world feared, only this time she was there to rescue him. He was so happy to see her that he collapsed in her arms. 

“How did you know? How did you find me?” Jimin asked.

“Jeongguk,” she said as she wiped his tears. “Something is going on with him. I don’t know what it is. But he told me where to find you. He said that your bosses at Second Chances had you arrested. Jimin, what the hell is going on?”

“I’m being set up. It all has to do with Si-Hyuk’s expansion plans. He needs money and for some reason he’s decided to go after Jeongguk by forcing him to sell his sister’s cello. I know you warned me this could happen. There’s more to the story. I’ll explain on the way home, just get me out of here. But first, I need to call Jeongguk. I have to let him know that I’m ok.”

Hayoon handed her phone to Jimin. He dialed Jeongguk’s number four times in a row with no answer. His stomach sank. This was not a good sign. Jeongguk always kept his phone and always answered Jimin’s calls, especially considering that Jimin was missing for three days. Jimin was instantly worried. 

“Take me to his apartment. Hopefully, he’s just asleep or watching television and didn’t hear his phone.”

“Sure. I’ll drive you. But there’s no way he wouldn’t have come himself if he was free to do so. Something is wrong.” 

Jimin and Hayoon returned to Jeongguk’s apartment, but he wasn’t there. He had no idea where he was. Instead of staying there, they decided to check Jimin’s apartment. Jeongguk had a key. Their last hope was that he was hiding out at Jimin’s place waiting for him to return.

But when they arrived at Jimin’s, Jeongguk was not there either.  Jimin completely panicked. Hayoon insisted that Jimin change clothes while she made a few phone calls. 

“I reached out to some contacts here in Seoul. They’re checking the hospitals and other jails around Seoul to see if Jeongguk is there. If they find anything, they’ll call me. Sit down, I have more important information for you.” Hayoon waited for Jimin to sit next to her. “I also spoke with the assistant DA. Seems like Si-Hyuk had you arrested on kidnapping charges. The same charges from a year ago. They never actually went away. Si-Hyuk is a very powerful man and many people in this city feel a debt to him. He knows the DA and has a personal relationship with him. He convinced him to drop the charges a year ago. But apparently he requested they be reinstated - even though he has no authority to do so. The DA did it - as a favor to him.” Hayoon was outraged, “Jimin, that’s prosecutorial misconduct. The DA can’t decide to just reopen a case after he officially dropped it. There’s clearly bias here and if the supposed victim testifies that he was never a victim, then he can’t decide unilaterally to override him. Even the hospital cleared you of wrongdoing. This is all a very clear cut case. I think Si-Hyuk used this as a stalling tactic to intimidate you and get you out of the way so that he could get to Jeongguk. Don’t worry about this little brother. I’ll handle it. You just focus on finding your boyfriend..”

There was a knock at the door. The last few days of Jimin’s life had been so wild that he had no idea what to expect next. He trepidatiously called out, “Who-who is it?”

“Open up Jimin. It’s me, Hobi.”

Jimin breathed a sigh of relief. He opened the door only for Hobi to rush past him. He spoke a million words a minute, “Jimin! Thank God you’re here. I’ve been waiting outside of your building for hours. I didn’t know where else to go. I’m so happy that Jeongguk got my message to you. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I knew what they were doing to you was wrong, but I never knew how thick this plot was. I should have stood up for you. I should have said something. I should have demanded they let you go.”

“Whoa Hobi, hold on. You’re talking too fast. Calm down. Did Jeongguk show up for his session today?” Jimin asked.

Hobi tried to speak slower to fill in the gaps, “Yes. But Mingyu and Si-Hyuk, th-th-they set him up. They knew all of the right buttons to push. Somehow they found out about his sister’s death. I have no idea how, but they found information offline, stuff that even CHLOE didn’t know. Somehow they got copies of Jeongguk’s sister’s crime scene photos and they fed them into the program. They actually had CHLOE calculate the exact amount of exposure that was needed to set him off. I found out accidentally so I warned him.”

“How did you warn him?” Jimin asked. 

 “They were in such a rush to get rid of you that they totally forgot to get rid of your car. No one even noticed it sitting in the parking lot. I knew that as soon as he arrived and saw your car, he would go straight to it. Since they were watching the building, I hid the note on your car. That’s how he found it. I told him everything in the note; where to find you and how they had tampered with your simulation.”

“Crime scene photos? They found the crime scene photos from her murder? Did Jeongguk actually see them?” Jimin asked with horror.

“No.”

“Thank God.”

“Someone tampered with the code to Jeongguk’s simulation?” 

“Yes and the tampering triggered your message. He saw your message. You’re brilliant Jimin, you timed it perfectly. It played during the first ten minutes of his session. I was still in the room and no one was suspicious of anything at that point. You knew not to trust them. I wasn’t going to leave without Jeongguk anyway, but your message was what he really needed to hear. After we received your message, he deleted the program. He deleted it Jimin. As much as it tore him up inside, he deleted it all on his own,” Hobi’s eyes were watery. The entire situation touched him deeply. He was overwhelmed with emotion.

Jimin’s mouth dropped. “He did? He deleted it?”

“The program with his sister in it? The one that Jimin built?” Hayoon asked for clarification.

“Yes. And he deleted it all on his own. He wanted to save you. He didn’t want them to find out that you put a warning in the program. He believed in himself enough to let her go. It wasn’t easy for him, believe me. He tore up the PROD and created a mess as he grappled with what to do. I thought it was going to break him, but it didn’t. In the end, he let her go and it was all because of your words. But that’s also where the plan backfired.”

“How? What happened? Where is he? He wasn’t at his apartment,” Jimin asked. Hayoon stood behind Jimin. She was just as worried as he was over Jeongguk’s whereabouts. Jimin studied Hobi’s face. His chest tightened as he waited for him to answer his question.“Hobi, where is he?” His eyes moved rapidly across Hobi’s face. He waited with baited breath to hear what he had to say.

“Si-Hyuk pulled some strings, just like he did with the kidnapping charges. You have to be careful. He knows someone high up. He-he…,”

“Spit it out! He what?” Jimin said impatiently.

“He had him committed again. He lied and said Jeongguk had some kind of mental breakdown and that he needed to be evaluated. Jeongguk was taken - right out of the PROD room. But he fought, he fought hard and would not go easily. He fought for his life, but it was no use. They knocked him out. They took him away and then forced him back into the mental institution.”

“THE MENTAL INSTITUTION!” Jimin and Hayoon said at the same time. Jimin raced past Hobi towards the car. Hayoon kicked off her heels and ran behind him. 

***

Dr. Yuri walked through the Seoul Mental Health Clinic doing her usual rounds. She flipped through the charts that had all of the profiles for the new patients. Meeting new patients was her least favorite part of her job. They were unpredictable, typically unmedicated, and highly symptomatic which sometimes led to violence. She always had to be careful when approaching someone new, at least until she got to know them. As she reached the third page of the intake list, she saw a familiar name. She was certain that she was misreading it, so she dropped her bulky black glasses over the bridge of her nose and tried again. She was not mistaken. A most familiar name was on the list.

“Jeongguk?” It took her a moment to process it all. Was it possible? Had Jeongguk been readmitted again? She read further down into his profile and learned that he had been placed in the isolation room, with straight jacket restraints. “OH MY GOD!” She dropped the clipboard. Her glasses flew off of her face as she ran towards the isolation ward to find him. It took five minutes of a full on sprint to get to that side of the building. She screamed towards the guard, “Jeon Jeongguk. Which room?”

“Four.”

“Open the door. Open the door!” She yelled to the guard.

“Maam, I’m under strict orders from the Director to not allow any visitors.”

“I’m not a visitor, I’m his therapist. And I work here.” She ripped off her badge and threw it in the guard’s face. “NOW OPEN THE FUCKING DOOR!” She screamed so loud that spittle sprayed from her mouth. 

“Yes, Dr. Yuri. Right away.”

Dr. Yuri was appalled with what she found. Jeongguk was not only locked in a padded room, but he was also restrained by a straight jacket and he appeared to be drugged. He lay on the floor, barefoot with his arms bound around his back, barely conscious. 

“Jeongguk. Jeongguk can you hear me?” She removed her stethoscope to listen to his heart. It was beating slowly. She did a quick assessment of his vitals. His pulse was erratic and his blood pressure was low. He had likely been given some type of clonazepam, which was the preferred sedative used at the mental facility. “Get this restraint off of him. Please”

The guard held the key in a large keychain on his belt. He carefully rolled Jeongguk over and unlocked the flaps to the straight jacket. Dr. Yuri did the rest by pulling it off of him and freeing his arms. 

“Jeongguk, talk to me. Do you know what they gave you?” Dr. Yuri asked. She needed to know what he had been given and who had prescribed it. But Jeongguk couldn’t assist in his own rescue. He was too out of it. She laid him on his back. “Water, please. I need to hydrate him. And get a stretcher in here,” Dr. Yuri called to the guard.

“Right away,” he responded. 

“Jeongguk, I’m going to get you out of here.” The guard arrived with the stretcher. She spoke sternly to him, “Help me get him on the stretcher. I’m taking him to a regular room. He doesn’t belong here.”

The guard argued, “He does belong here. He went crazy at some clinic and they sent him here for evaluation. He tore up the place pretty good. He had a full breakdown. He was so out of control that Director Sung gave them permission to drug him in the field.” 

“What was he given?” Dr. Yuri asked quickly.

“The standard. Clonazepam. I was afraid of that. He’s going to be out for a while. How much?”

“Uhhh,” the guard checked his chart, “About 1.00mg.”

“That’s three times the standard dose. What the hell were they thinking?”

“Don’t blame me. I had nothing to do with it. I just processed him when they brought him in. Director Sung told us what dose to give him.”

“Help me get him up,” Dr. Yuri and the guard leaned down to lift Jeongguk to the stretcher. “I’m taking him to a regular room that’s not this padded cell. If anyone has a problem with it, they can talk to me.”

***

 

Jimin didn’t know where to go. The hospital had over 200 rooms and Jeongguk could have been in any of them. But even though he didn’t know where to go, he knew someone who did. 

“Roberta. Nice to see you again,” Jimin said as he stepped towards the receptionist desk.

Roberta turned several shades of pink before deciding on a bright red. She recognized him immediately, “JIMIN! What are you doing here?”

“It’s been a while. I’m glad you still remember me.”

“I could never forget you. Hey and sorry about that whole having you arrested thing a year ago. Nothing personal, I was just doing my job,” Roberta quipped.

Jimin took it very personally. If Roberta had just minded her own business, he wouldn’t be in the predicament that he was in. All she had to do was allow him to take Jeongguk to see his dying grandmother. Instead she made a spectacle and called the police to have him arrested. Jimin’s entire life would have been different if Roberta had made a more rational decision. He really hated her. But under the circumstances, he needed her so he had to bury his disdain.

“No. Nothing personal.” He smiled maliciously. “But I do need your help with a small matter. Jeongguk, Nara’s grandson has been accidentally admitted here. We need to know where he is, if you don’t mind.”

“Oh no. That’s terrible. I hope you can get it sorted out.”

“Yes. Can you help us find his room number?”

“Sure, as long as you agree to behave,” she teased.

“I promise. You’ll get no trouble from me.” Jimin held the litany of curse words he wanted to spew at her.

“When was he brought in?” Roberta asked.

“Sometime within the last twenty-four hours, probably today,” Jimin wasn’t sure.

“Yep. Here he is. His file was just updated. He’s with Dr. Yuri in room 1013. According to his admission records, he had a manic episode at a company called Second Chances. The owners felt unsafe, so they sent him here. Apparently he was a client of theirs, but not anymore I imagine. Not sure how they were able to pull that off. I mean…randos can’t just have people committed. Maybe Dr. Yuri can explain. She really cares about him, she’ll get him well.”

“1013? Got it.” Jimin nodded, “Thanks Roberta.”

“Yea. Just follow this yellow line and it will take you straight back there. But be careful Jimin. He was initially placed in the padded room ward. That means he had to really have been going through something that made him a danger to others. He could be a danger to you and everyone around you,” Roberta made reference to Hayoon who was standing behind Jimin.

“I’m sure it was a mistake. He’s not capable of harming anyone.” Jimin didn’t appreciate her warning. He never liked the way that Roberta treated Jeongguk, like he was some kind of menace to society.  He and Hayoon managed to walk away without Jimin telling her how he really felt about her. 

***

Dr. Yuri sat next to Jeongguk’s bed monitoring him for any side effects of the medicine he had been given. She patiently waited for him to wake up so that she could evaluate whatever was happening with his mental state.

The room they were in was not the same room where Jeongguk had spent three years of his life, but it was the exact same layout with the exact same furniture. The only thing missing was the plethora of crocheted stuffed animals from Nara. Being back in a similar room with Jeongguk broke Dr. Yuri’s heart. He had come so far, only for his recovery to be sabotaged. 

She worried about the dosage of Clonazepam that he had been given and why Dr. Sung had agreed to have it administered on a patient that he knew nothing about. But that inquiry would have to wait until later. Her first concern was Jeongguk, who still was completely out of it.

There was a knock on the door behind her. “Come in,” she said quietly.

Jimin rushed inside with Hayoon close behind him, “You must be Dr. Yuri. The guard told me you were with him. Where is he?” Jimin curtailed their formal greeting. He had no time for it. He just needed to know that Jeongguk was okay.

“Yes, I’m Dr. Yuri. And you are…?”

“Jimin.”

“Jimin? Theeee Jimin? As in Park Jimin?” Dr. Yuri’s eyes grew wide. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Where is he?” Jimin repeated

“Right this way. He’s in bed.”

“In bed? Why would he be sleeping?” Hayoon asked.

“Not sleeping. Drugged.”

“DRUGGED!” Jimin screamed. He ran to Jeongguk’s side and grabbed his hand. Jeongguk was completely unresponsive despite Jimin begging him to wake up. “What the fuck happened? Who drugged him?”

“I don’t really know. The Director of the facility ordered it because apparently Jeongguk was disorderly and threatening. But I’ve known this man for three years, he just doesn’t have that in him. Something is going on here and I have to get to the bottom of it. Jimin, I know you two are close. Any idea how he ended up here? What happened? What’s going on? He was doing so well. Even though he cancelled our last two months of sessions, I was okay with it because he was so healthy. And of course…he was also in love. How did things change so quickly?”

Jimin kissed Jeongguk on the cheek. He was warm, flushed, but breathing. He held Jeongguk’s hand and tried to coax him to wake up. “I was hoping you knew. What’s wrong with him? Why is he this way? He’s all bloody and beat up…his fists are bruised. What the fuck,” Jimin held back tears. “What happened to him? He fought for his fucking life! What kind of drugs did they give him?”

“I know, Jimin, I know. All of this is going to be in my final report. I won’t let them get away with this. They dosed him with Clonazepam in the field to calm him down. It’s harmless when taken in the proper dosage. The problem is, he wasn’t given the proper dosage. He was given three times that amount. It was approved by the Director of this facility. Please Jimin, tell me what you know.”

“It’s been a whirlwind the last two days and I believe that he and I were set up. I was falsely thrown in jail and he was set up to be sent here. He’s not manic. He’s not disorderly. He’s not a danger to anybody. He’s fine. But someone wants to make it look like he’s relapsing.”

“Who would do that to you two?”

“The owners of Second Chances.” Jimin couldn’t believe the words that were coming out of his mouth.

“SECOND CHANCES! No, that’s not possible. Jeongguk had nothing to do with those people. I warned him against it and he agreed to stay away from those sleazy sons of bitches. I told him to spend more time with you and to never go back there. In fact, when I found out what they were doing to him, I reported them to the board. Turns out they have at least ten complaints against them from the Seoul Psychiatric board - all from therapists who saw their patients relapse because of their so-called ‘treatments’.”

“I’m one of those sleazy sons of bitches ”

“What?” Dr. Yuri stood to her feet, ready to fight.

“I’m his consultant and I’m the one who sold him our services. That was two years ago at the request of his grandmother. I originally denied her. But she insisted. My God how I wish I had just sent her away. But, I didn’t know any better back then. I had to learn the hard way about that morally corrupt group of snakes. You and my sister were right,” Jimin looked back at Hayoon, whose eyes were full of tears as she watched Jeongguk lay there helpless. “Second Chances just…well it’s not a good place,” Jimin kept it simple. He didn’t have the time or energy to recount his entire history with Si-Hyuk. “Is he going to wake up?”

“He’ll be fine, I hope. He just needs time for the meds to wear off. But we need to stay by him to make sure there are no side effects from the high dosage. Jimin do you think laws were broken here? I mean, if what you’re saying is true, they put an innocent man in jail and put a sane man in a mental clinic. None of that is legal.”

Hayoon chimed in, “Oh don’t worry. I’ll handle all of that. And to answer your question, none of this is legal. We need to get Jimin and Jeongguk out of harm’s way. While Jeongguk is still in here, Si-Hyuk has influence over his treatment. But once he wakes up, I’m hoping you can evaluate him and release him. After they are safely in the comfort of their apartment, I’m going to hit that company with everything I’ve got. I’m taking everything they own.”

“Good. And yes, I’ll evaluate him myself and make sure that he gets clearance to leave. That’s why I’m staying close. Although, I have to warn you. Based on this conversation, none of us have been with him over the last two - three days. Are you sure that nothing happened to trigger a relapse? I mean, we can’t say for sure that he’s in a good mental state. I’ll evaluate him, like I promised, but if I find something is amiss, I-I-I may have to hold him here.”

“He’s fine!” Jimin snapped. Even though I haven’t seen him, others have. He’s been going to work as usual. And he even helped get me out of jail. He’s perfectly lucid and speaking. Either you believe in him, or you don’t!”

“Don’t snap at me. I’ve always believed in him. Before you and your pretty blonde hair ever came along, I believed in him. It was me and Nara. That was all that he had. And if you hadn’t gotten him mixed up with that place, he would have never ended up here. So please, don’t question my dedication to him. Just…don’t.” Dr. Yuri pushed back.

“You must really care for him,” Hayoon suggested. “You’re risking a lot.”

“I do care for him. But it’s more than that. This man has a talent unlike any other. The world needs him. I kind of consider it my responsibility to make sure that he can return to all of those who love him and his music. I’m a fan. And he has millions of others. I guess I’m selfish really, as I’ve often explained to him,” Dr. Yuri laughed. She checked Jeongguk’s pulse and his pupils with her pen light.

“Dr. Yuri. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to raise my voice. Of course you care. Of course. Thank you for looking after him.” Jimin was calm outside, but inside, a rage was building. “Could you two allow me some time alone with him please?”

“He can’t really hear you,” Dr. Yuri advised.

“Yes he can,” Jimin said concretely.

“Dr. Yuri, you look exhausted. What do you say I buy you a cup of coffee?”

Dr. Yuri stalled, “That sounds great. Jimin, I’m sorry too. I didn’t mean to say those hurtful things. He loves you. His relationship with you has been so healthy for him. I’ve encouraged it from the first day he uttered your name. Thanks for being there for him. I’ll be right outside gulping down coffee if you need me.”

 

Jimin leaned down next to the bed where Jeongguk was sleeping. Even drugged out of his mind, he was so breathtakingly gorgeous. Jimin slid into bed next to him and rested his head on his chest. He spoke so that his words went straight through his skin and right into his heart. 

“Dr. Yuri is right. I should have pulled you out of Second Chances a long time ago. I’m so sorry that I got you mixed up in this. But I promised to protect you…and I meant it. They will never touch you again. You have my word.” Jimin was interrupted by a knock at the door.

“He assumed it was Hayoon and Dr. Yuri coming back from their coffee break already. He left Jeongguk’s side to go and open the door. There was a young man standing there wearing a purple and orange uniform that said FedEx International Connect Plus. It was a courier service. The guy looked to be about nineteen and he had a package in his hand. He was pretty anxious as he shifted from his left to right foot.

“Mr. Jeon. I have a letter for you. Sign here please. And hurry up. This place gives me the creeps. Sign here and here.” The delivery driver was in a rush to get out of there. He handed a clipboard over to Jimin accompanied by an envelope. “Do the crazies ever attack anyone?”

“What? No. That’s a stupid comment to make. Just because people need a little…nevermind, you know what, I’m not having this conversation with you. I’m not Mr. Jeon,”

“The lady at the receptionist desk said Mr. Jeon was in this room.”

“He is but…I’ll take it. What is it?” Jimin examined the package. He immediately recognized the logo. “Second Chances?” He tore the envelope open. There was a legal document with a letter attached. The legal document was some sort of binding agreement for Jeongguk’s cello. It was signed by an attorney with an official embossed stamp. Jimin scanned it quickly. It was from Si-Hyuk and it was addressed to Jeongguk. “What the fuck? He said as his eyes drifted over the text. He slammed the door in the kid’s face and walked away absentmindedly. 

The kid yelled and called through the door, “HEY! I’m supposed to get it signed and take it back! He paid me a lot of money to deliver this and bring it back. I only have two hours to return it!”

“Yea. Ok,” Jimin ignored him. “What the actual fuck?” He said again as he read through the documents. 

He couldn’t believe that Si-Hyuk had the balls to send something like that to Jeongguk after having him committed against his will. Jimin felt sick to his stomach. The letter was a blackmail letter - plain and simple. Since Si-Hyuk couldn’t convince Jimin to talk Jeongguk out of the cello, he decided to attempt to do it  himself. When embedding subliminal messages in his session didn’t work, he switched to having him committed. The letter was an offer to Jeongguk, promising to help him get released from the mental facility if he agreed to sign the legal document that granted him and “Second Chances” legal ownership of the cello. The man would not give up. He tried every trick in the book to manipulate Jeongguk’s most prized possession away from him. Jimin read from the beginning:

 

This is simple. Hand over the cello and secure your freedom and Jimin’s freedom. Refuse and both of you will rot behind bars. Trust me, I have the power to make it happen. But I am not a heartless man, we can still work something out in return for your cooperation. I’m willing to reunite you with your sister again. I know you deleted the program under duress, but I’m willing to rebuild the entire profile for you, bigger and better on a tier seven. Think about it Jeongguk, you’ll be able to hug her and talk to her whenever you desire. You can play concerts side by side again. You can talk about old times and reminisce about your childhood. I’ll even bring in Nara and your parents to reunite the entire family. I will make all of your dreams come true. Just sign this agreement and you’ll be out by morning. I don’t want to see you spend the rest of your life in a padded cell. Make the right choice.   

 

Jimin slowly balled the papers in his hand. He shook with anger. He wanted to scream and punch the wall, but he couldn’t, not in front of Jeongguk. Despite him being drugged, Jimin knew that he could hear every word he said. He had to remain calm - for the moment. 

Si-Hyuk was such a stupid fuck that he didn’t even realize Jeongguk was unconscious and unable to sign anything or agree to anything. Even if he was awake, he was in a mental institution and any lawyer could argue that he wasn’t fit to enter a legally binding agreement. It was all a show. A game. A chess move that was going to end with the capture of Si-Hyuk’s Queen. The crazy fuck thought he was smarter than everyone else. And in many ways Si-Hyuk was brilliant when it came to building fantasies. But not when it came to understanding real people. Instead of his legal documents finding a weak and defeated Jeongguk who would be willing to sign anything for his freedom, evidence of blackmail had accidentally been delivered right into the hands of a very angry Jimin. Furthermore, the letter and the agreement from the lawyer were all of the evidence Jimin needed to prove what Si-Hyuk had done. 

 

Jimin took several deep breaths. He didn’t want Jeongguk to hear the tremble in his voice. Quickly, he walked over to the bed where Jeongguk was still unconscious. He laid with him one last time, “I have to leave. I have to do something very important. And…I may be gone for another couple of days, but I promise I’ll be back. Just wait for me. Dr. Yuri is going to get you out of here and you’ll be going home soon. I know you can hear me, because you always do. I love you baby,” Jimin kissed Jeongguk’s warm lips.

He stood from the bed. The moment his feet touched the ground, his entire visage changed. Darkness glinted in his eyes. Both of his hands balled into fists as the outrage grew inside of him like a ticking time bomb. And he was a ticking time bomb. He pursed his lips and cracked his neck and headed for the door.

Outside in the hallway, Hayoon and Dr. Yuri made it back from the coffee machine. They stood there making small talk. But the instant Hayoon saw her brother’s face, she knew…

 “Jimin? Jimin, what’s going on?” She asked cautiously.

Jimin walked towards them, “Are you sure he’s going to be ok?” He asked Dr. Yuri quietly, rage building in the veins of his neck.

“Yea, yea, I’m sure. If he doesn’t wake up soon, we’ll give him a dose of Flumazenil. That’ll wake him up for sure. Either way, he’ll be fine and I’ll make sure of it. But…as for you…maybe we can sit down and talk? You’re upset. Something is bothering you and as a professional, I feel obligated to intervene before you do something that you’ll regret,” even Dr. Yuri could see the poisonous anger boiling under his skin.

Jimin stared right through her, “I’m tired of fucking talking. Jeongguk did nothing to these people yet they chose to come after him. He’s innocent in all of this. They could have come after me all they wanted. But the minute they touched him, they crossed the line. And they’re going to pay. Take care of him, Dr. Yuri. When he wakes up, tell him I’ll be back soon. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but soon.” Jimin dropped the ball of papers into Hayoon’s hands and then turned his back to both of them and marched angrily towards the door. 

Hayoon unballed the paper and scanned it briefly. It only took seconds for her to realize what it was. Si-Hyuk had stepped in a pile a shit deeper than the Han river. He was in trouble and only God could help him. She had only seen Jimin in that state on a few occasions. And each time it ended badly. She didn’t expect this time to be any different. 

As he marched towards the parking lot he calmly gave demands, “I’m taking your car and your phone.”

“Sure.”

“Make sure Jeongguk is ok. Then go back to my place. Under the bed, I have about three-hundred million won stashed for a rainy day. Today is about to be a fucking rainy day. Grab all of it - for bail money.”

“Yep, got it. Need I ask where you’re going?” Hayoon partially jogged to keep up with him. He was moving fast, with wicked determination.

“Do as I say and don’t ask questions. I don’t want you implicated in anything I’m about to do.”

“Everything is allegedly,” Hayoon shrugged. Jimin fully expected her to drown him in lectures and pleads not to do anything that could land him in jail again. Instead she gave instructions of her own, “Break whatever bones you want but don’t kill him. It’ll fuck up my defamation law suit if he’s dead. And try to keep the property damage below 100 million won, that way it’s still a misdemeanor. Everything else is up to you. We’re going with a temporary insanity defense due to their malicious prosecution and intentional infliction of mental trauma…oh and fucking blackmail which he was stupid enough to document. Who knows, if you act unhinged enough, they may sentence you to this place for the night and you and your boyfriend can fuck it out in the padded room.”

“That’s not funny,” Jimin didn’t like her joke.

“It is. It’ll hit you later.” Hayoon smiled to release some of the tension. She was scared for her brother, but she fully supported everything he was about to do. “I’ll meet you at the police station. We’ll have you out by midnight. Go get em’, baby.”

***

Chapter Index

Chapter Eight - Fear No Evil

Chapter Eight - Fear No Evil

🌿13, 358k

🌿Attempted Murder

🌿Hurt/Comfort

🌿Major Angst

🌿Drugging

🌿Extreme Violence

__________________________

As the afternoon waned, the sky churned into a cauldron of wrathful gray, its once-placid blue devoured by rolling clouds that seemed to pulse with malice. A restless wind awoke, clawing through the trees, bending their gnarled branches into frantic arcs as leaves skittered across the earth like fleeing spirits. The air thickened with a metallic tang, heavy with the promise of chaos, as a low, guttural rumble of thunder rolled in the distance. It was an apropos introduction to a predator who was out for revenge. 

As Jimin drove through the twisting wind and diagonal rain, his mind ventured back to the bed where Jeongguk’s helpless body lay limp. “Drugging him, terrorizing him, having him committed…and for what? A fucking cello? To squeeze money from him that they don’t even fucking need?” He growled under his breath.

 None of it made sense. If Si-Hyuk wanted to break Jimin and teach him a lesson, then he had succeeded because the Jimin who was about to greet them was nothing like the timid, disciplined creature who had worked for him for two fucking years. 

Jimin didn’t care about them taking his money, his job, or his prestige. But he drew the line at them trying to take Jeongguk. The more he thought about it, the more he realized what they really wanted; to control him. To bleed them dry for money while destroying them at the same time. He had been so blind. How had he not seen it sooner? He was sure that Mingyu was not the mastermind. He was simply doing the bidding of his father to assuage his guilt over leaving the company. Still, Ming was the one who agreed to put those horrific photos into Jeongguk’s program. So in Jimin’s mind, he was just as guilty.

 

Jimin recklessly jumped the curb and parked his car crooked on the sidewalk; not giving a fuck who he blocked or inconvenienced. It was exactly what Nara would have done. He emerged from the driver’s seat and stepped into the pouring rain. The white t-shirt and jeans he was wearing immediately soaked through, revealing the tense muscles across his chest and the anger in his stretched veins. His eyes were bloodshot from days of no sleep. His blonde hair, flat with no life, pressed against his forehead as the strands bloated with droplets of the cold rain. Three days in jail had made him all the worse for wear. 

He walked straight ahead, like a zombie with a thirst for blood. With his hands still angrily balled with rage, he fished a few bills out of his pocket and then marched into the sports equipment store next door to the building. He emerged with a fresh new wooden bat gripped tightly in his hands. A cacophonous symphony of thunder and lightning flashed behind him, ripping a bright seam through the dark sky. His mind paced through his every move as the beast within him roared.

Step one - bust out that fucking window with the glowing Second Chances neon sign. That was the best way to announce his arrival. He tossed the bat around in his hands, flipping it from handle to barrel with simple grace. Before stepping up on the sidewalk, he twirled the bat like a baton, finally settling on his grip. Several customers standing near the large picture window made a last minute dash to safety as they anticipated what he was about to do.

With a single swing, he hoisted the barrel of the bat through the five meter high picture window. The middle fractured with a few loud cracks that traveled at meteoric speed across the span of the frame. Finally with a thunderous crash, the glass shattered and fell to the ground.

Step two - he stepped inside, walking over the fallen glass so that it crunched beneath his expensive shoes. He wanted to make sure that everyone could hear him coming. Onlookers screamed. Most of the clients in the lobby fled the building immediately. He never made eye contact with any of them. His agenda didn’t include any of the innocent people who were there being manipulated by their dead relatives.

Step three - get rid of that fucking desk in the lobby. The place where he once hid all of Jeongguk’s sketches. The place where he stifled his feelings and denied that he was falling in love just to please his boss. The place where the manipulation began when he first applied for that stupid job. He twirled the bat again and then crashed it through the center of the mahogany. The desk dented inwards and then collapsed. He pulled out each of the drawers and smashed them to pieces. The expensive Tiffany lamp that sat on the desk’s edge was tossed into the air like a baseball and belted with his bat, causing it to go flying across the expensive lobby.  Just for the sheer purpose of unleashing terror, he walked along the front of the lobby hurling the barrel of his bat through each and every window. Rain poured in sideways through the shattered glass, puddling along the expensive floors and custom furniture. The room was unrecognizable by the time he took a breath. 

The noise drew the two new sales people towards the front. Amidst the screaming pandemonium, they begged for someone to call the police as they shielded themselves from the sputtering glass that flew through the air. They barely recognized Jimin, covered in blood from the glass embedded in his hands and wrists. His face was puffy and swollen and filled with range, masking his otherwise exquisitely handsome face. Rumors of his firing were the only references the salesmen had to him. Assuming he was just disgruntled because of losing his job, they failed to understand the true origin of his outrage or just how dangerous he was at that moment. 

Step four - it was time for Jimin to find his victim. He knew the pudgy slob was in his office somewhere basking over his axis of evil. So, that was where he headed. He marched down the long hallway, passing each of the PRODs he’d used so many times. So many people had been infected by Si-Hyuk’s evil and he had been a big part of it. His mind glitched just thinking about the long term damage he’d done to the innocent people who were just looking for peace. 

 

By the time Jimin reached Si-Hyuk’s office, he was even angrier than when he started. He kicked the door open as the lightning flashed through the office window. Eyes darkening, teeth gritted, blood dripping from his hands and sliding down the length of the bat, he looked like a deranged madman. His angry presence and malicious intent were the stuff that horror movies were made out of. He stood there, glaring, chest heaving like a rabid dog.

 Si-Hyuk jumped to his feet, terrified of the wet, disheveled predator that cornered him, “Jimin how-how-how did you…,”

“...get out of jail?” Jimin patted the barrel of the bat against his palms. Rain dripped from his body as he stood in the broken door frame. “You have no idea who you’re fucking with, do you?” Jimin wound his bat up again and then smashed it into the wall, breaking one of the trophy cases where Si-Hyuk’s multiple awards for AI innovation were housed. He snatched each of the trophies out of the case and threw them at Si-Hyuk’s head. He threw them so hard that they shattered everything on his desk and left indentations in the wall behind him. “All you had to do was leave us alone! You were like a father to me. I trusted you, I would have never hurt you. But you didn’t give a fuck about hurting me. It’s my own fault for being so stupid! YOU’LL NEVER GET A FUCKING PENNY FROM HIM!” He raised his bat again and pummeled it into the center of Si-Hyuk’s glass table, with each bang accentuating his words. “You wanted me to obey you. You wanted me to do your dirty work. You wanted to break me? Is this broken enough for you?” Jimin jammed the bat into the glass window behind Si-Hyuk. He kicked over the heavy glass desk, causing it to overturn and splinter on the ground. Shards of glass flying in every direction.

Si-Hyuk ran to the corner, fearing for his life. The large man’s eyes filled with tears. Jimin’s deranged reaction was not what he expected. He realized that using Jeongguk as part of the scheme was a mistake. His methods were draconian, but he never meant to drive Jimin this far. He sat trapped in a corner, wondering if he was going to live or die. “All you had to do was get the cello. Our expansion was going to save the world. And you could have been a part of it. All you had to do was prove your loyalty…get the cello…but you wouldn’t. You made me grovel. You drove me to this.”

“Thank God I saw the light. No wonder Mingyu wants no part of this company. He wants to protect his son from being like you,” Jimin spat.

“No, don’t say that. It’s not true. It’s not true. He just doesn’t have the fortitude for the business. But he appreciates me, he understands everything I’ve done. I’m sorry that I had to involve Jeongguk, but you just don’t understand. We’re on the verge of something great. This expansion will save lives. I just need Jeongguk to…,”

“SHUT UP! STOP SAYING HIS FUCKING NAME! You could have fucked with me all you wanted, I would have handled it. But instead, you plotted to torture him…by showing him pictures of his dead sister. He’s been through hell and he fought back and won and you dare do this to him? What kind of sick pathetic fuck are you?” Jimin’s rage built beyond his control. He raised the bat and pointed it towards Si-Hyuk’s head. He had every intention of burying it deep into his skull. He wondered how many strikes it would take to kill him. And then just before he took his first swing, he felt a tug and a pull from the barrel. Someone was holding the other end of the bat to keep Jimin from swinging it again. 

 

Ming’s voice was rather calm considering the chaos, “You know…I’ll be honest. I saw you coming. Probably could have stopped you, but meh, dad sorta deserved it. It felt good to watch you destroy the place. I took great joy in your vandalism. Buuuuut, I’m afraid I can’t allow you to bash my dad’s head in. He certainly doesn’t deserve that. He’s a sick man Jimin. This entire creation is the love child of a sick man,” Mingyu stood thirteen centimeters taller than Jimin. He easily pulled the bat from his hands and threw it to the floor.” He casually found a seat as he watched his father cower in the corner. “Jimin, I did some foul shit to you and Jeongguk. I admit to all of it.  I added subliminal messages to his simulation. I tried to coerce him to sell the cello. But I knew nothing about the crime scene photos. I didn’t add those pictures to Jeongguk’s file.” Mingyu pointed to his father. “The logs were wrong. I didn’t realize they implicated me until Hobi accused me of doing it. My father made those edits while CHLOE was down for maintenance. He was perfectly happy to let the logs look as if I did it. I would never hurt Jeongguk that way.”

Si-Hyuk sounded truly insane. He yelled at Jimin again despite how close Jimin was to trying to kill him, “Why wouldn’t you just cooperate? Since the first day I met you, I thought you were special. You out performed my own son. This company meant everything to you. How can you turn against us like this?” 

Jimin was outraged, “Turn against you? You drugged my boyfriend and locked him up in a mental institution. You had me arrested for a crime I didn’t commit. You conspired to steal a 30 billion won instrument. And you ask me how I can turn against you? You’re fucking around with real lives! Not these fucking fantasies you project on screen. Jeongguk is an innocent man who did nothing but appreciate the services you created. He gave you everything you ever wanted; accolades, money, praises and testimony. And this is how you repay him? You’re a sick fuck.” Jimin’s rage grew again. He ran for the bat but Mingyu was too fast. He swooped it up and held it over his head so that Jimin couldn’t reach it.

“You don’t really want to hurt him, Jimin. Stop it.”

“I want to kill him, Ming. Stop it.”

Mingyu sighed, “You should go before you do something that could land you in prison. That’s enough smashing for you today. You’re already going to be arrested - again. But if you leave now, you can get a headstart and maybe lure them into a police chase in your sister’s Kia. That would be entertaining.”

“I’m not running from the police. I’m a man who knows how to take responsibility for his actions. The police can have me.” He turned towards Si-Hyuk who was now blubbering like a fool, “But I’m warning you now, you crazy-ass piece of shit, if you ever come for my boyfriend again, EVER! I will kill you and I don’t mean that as a witty euphemism. I will literally choke you in your sleep until you die, you fat fuck! You better hope that he comes out of this unharmed or I’ll be back.” Jimin’s warning was loud and clear. No one had much interest in crossing him again. He showed them all that he was the crazy one, not Jeongguk.

***

 

Jimin was arrested. The police found him sitting on the curb, being pummeled by the rain. But, just as Hayoon promised, she had him out of jail by midnight. Despite the millions and millions of won worth of damage that Jimin caused, no one at Second Chances agreed to press charges. He was pretty sure that it was the influence of Mingyu, his last official act before leaving Second Chances for good. 

***

 

Dr. Yuri never left Jeongguk’s side. He finally woke up from his drug stupor and came back to the world of the living around midnight that evening. She delivered him to Jimin and then headed straight back to the hospital to begin filing her complaint against Dr. Sung and Second Chances. She had already filed multiple warnings about their operation, but this time she had evidence to back up her claims of manipulation, abuse and theft. 

Dr. Sung was the Director of the mental facility. He had always been a good man, her mentor. She couldn’t understand how Si-Hyuk had manipulated him to risk his entire career by mistreating patients. But somehow, he had agreed to drug and illegally detain Jeongguk. It pained her to do it, but she had to hold him accountable. She spent the remainder of the night compiling her papers. By the following morning, she was in the Office of the  Seoul Psychiatric Association with over 100 pages of complaints against Dr. Sung and Si-Hyuk.  

 

Hayoon kept her promise. She went after Second Chances with everything she could muster. She filed six different civil suits for damages based on all of the harassment that Jimin and Jeongguk suffered. All of the work was done pro-bono because she was committed to taking Si-Hyuk down. 

The kidnapping case against Jimin was dropped almost immediately and the DA was censured. Once Jeongguk testified that he was never a kidnapping victim, the entire case was dismissed. As for the civil claim against Jimin and Jeongguk for destroying the property at the Second Chances office, they agreed to a settlement and paid for all of the damages. Sadly, Jimin had to use his entire savings to settle the payment. He also had to sell his Porsche. But he was happy to do it if it meant being rid of them forever. Mingyu, until the very end, still refused to press criminal charges despite Jimin’s very real threats to kill his father. 

 

The multiple petitions filed against Second Chances were all given hearings. As hard as Ming and Si-Hyuk tried to keep their troubles private, Hayoon and Dr. Yuri made sure that every publication, news outlet, and YouTube channel knew what Second Chances had done and what they were accused of. Si-Hyuk was hauled before countless boards and forced to explain his conduct. Serious questions arose around his fitness to continue as CEO and owner of the company. He spent the next year fighting to keep his position.

 

Immediately after the incident, Jimin and Jeongguk invited Hobi over for dinner as a thank you for everything he had done. He was still looking for work, but he was happy to be free of Si-Hyuk. He and Jeongguk recounted the events of that day for Jimin and explained how Jeongguk deleted the program. In turn, Jimin explained how he had added a secret emergency hologram that behaved like a virus to intercept the program if anyone tinkered with it. 

Jimin refused to allow Jeongguk out of his sight. He was so terrified of Si-Hyuk coming after them again that he didn’t even want Jeongguk to go back to work. They stayed at Jimin’s apartment since it had better security. It wasn’t until the civil suits were settled that Jimin finally let his guard down and relaxed. 

 All he wanted to do was hold Jeongguk in his arms and make love to him. Jimin’s insatiability was driven mostly by his fear of what had happened. He had almost lost Jeongguk to the mental institution again and that was almost too much for him to bear. 

Where others drowned themselves in emotional eating to feel better. Jimin and Jeongguk drowned themselves in emotional fucking to cope with their problems.

***

 

With Jimin’s savings depleted and with him no longer having a job, he eventually had to give up his apartment and move in with Jeongguk. That was the one silver lining to all of the tumult in their lives. They looked forward to officially being a couple and sharing a life together. 

But Jimin had no job. And that meant that Jeongguk had to support both of them on his meager janitor’s income. Jimin sold all of his flashy belongings in an effort to keep them afloat, but after three months they needed more money. 

Jimin continued to look for a job. He remembered how poorly the search had gone before taking the position with Second Chances. He made a vow not to be so quick to accept the first job opportunity that came along without really vetting the company. 

 

While Jimin was focused on gameful employment, Jeongguk was on a slightly different mission; one that he didn’t dare share for fear of failing. As poorly as things ended with Second Chances, he still considered it one of the best things to ever happen to him. He missed Jihyo and wished that he could have concluded his last eight months, but he understood the need to protect Jimin and to take away the control that Si-Hyuk had over him. But he still thought back to his sessions and the many tidbits of factual information that CHLOE always managed to feed into their simulations and role play.

But there was one piece of history that caught Jeongguk’s attention. It was the mystery of the Mozart sheet music and how it had ended up sold to the Museum. It wasn’t until that horrific night where he received it as a Christmas present that he realized it even still existed. His first thought was that Nara had sold it during one of her desperate bids to find cash. But he soon discovered that the mystery was much more complex.

He contacted Mina, the lawyer that had settled Nara’s estate. She never knew about the existence of the sheet music. She and her firm researched and found that the sheet music had never actually been sold, it had been seized after Nara’s death and given to the Museum. Per Nara’s orders, if Jeongguk was still incapacitated, Nara wanted all of the Jeon family valuables to be sent to the Seoul History Museum. The sheet music ended up for sale by mistake and that was where Jimin stumbled upon it. It was never labeled as belonging to the Jeons, so he never knew.

But the more that Mina and Jeongguk researched, the more Jeon artifacts they found living at the Museum. Unbeknownst to her attorney, Nara had donated some of the most valuable possessions from the Jeon home because of one major loophole. There was a little known law on the books that said no heir who was mentally unstable, imprisoned, or convicted of a felony could inherit property. And since Jeongguk was in the mental institution at the time of her death, Nara donated all of their most valuable possessions to the Museum. She and the curator were old friends and she promised to keep the Jeon collection safe from greedy government officials and anyone else who may try to lay claim to her family’s belongings. So she secretly arranged for everything to go to them once the family mansion was liquidated. But there was a loophole in the law that only Nara knew about. If Jeongguk was to ever get out and reclaim his life, then by law, all of the possessions would go back to him. It was all in writing in the museum records. A different lawyer had drawn up the papers so Mina knew nothing about it. That was just one of the many things that frustrated Mina about representing the brilliant Mrs. Jeon.

 

Within a month of Nara’s death, Jeongguk emerged from the mental institution with a clean bill of health. But his release was kept quiet and he never reclaimed his life of celebrity. Instead he took a job as a janitor. No one at the museum knew that they had a living descendant who was eligible to receive the collection. And the living descendent didn’t know that he had a fortune to claim. It wasn’t until Mina found the legal paperwork that the museum was notified about Jeongguk being the rightful owner. 

After working to properly catalog the Jeon collection, they found over 13 billion won worth of priceless artifacts that Nara had kept in her house; all of which were now sitting in the museum. Tracking down Jimin’s sheet music had accidentally led to uncovering a fortune. Items such as their family oil paintings, antique furniture, calligraphy scrolls and handwritten letters from his grandfather were all quietly sitting as one of the most popular displays in the museum. 

In short, they discovered that Nara had not sold her most valuable possessions at all. She had simply found a way to keep them safe until Jeongguk could reclaim them. It was the ultimate chess move that she kept so private, that no one ever saw it coming, not even Google.

 

The irony was that Jeongguk had little interest in claiming the stuff for himself.  He had been through so much that material things simply didn’t matter. He would have been happy living in his dank, old apartment, making love to his Jiminie every night. 

But with Jimin losing his job, his apartment, and his car, Jeongguk realized that they couldn’t survive off of his janitor’s salary. Jimin had been out of work for a very long time. The stress weighed heavily on him. No one seemed to be hiring no matter how qualified he was. He put on a brave face, but Jeongguk knew that it bothered him to transition from a wealthy salesman to an unemployed sketch artist. 

So in a private liquidation deal with the museum, Jeongguk found a way to make everyone happy. He sold all of his family’s property to the museum in exchange for a pile of money that would sustain him and Jimin for generations. The museum was allowed to keep all of their Jeon family artifacts, which had become the most popular attraction, and Jeongguk was given a fair payout for the property that rightfully belonged to him. Overnight, Jeongguk became one of the wealthiest men in Korea - again. And Jimin had no clue because Jeongguk continued to keep it a closely guarded secret until everything was ready. 

But there was still more that he had to do. Much, much more…

***

 

Jeongguk paced back and forth waiting for Mina to call. He was so nervous. This was the last step in reclaiming what rightfully belonged to him. If successful, this would be the move that would change everything. 

“Please call. Come on Mina, call me with good news,” Jeongguk spoke to his quiet phone.

He needed to find something to do to pass the time; a quick walk around the cello gave him clarity. To calm his nerves, he sat behind Jihyo’s cello and began to play. Cats outside of his window meowed at him, serenading him in an unwelcome sing along. It made him laugh. He played for over an hour as he waited for his phone to ring. He jumped when the call finally came in.

He rushed to answer it as quickly as possible, “Mina! Please, please tell me you have good news…?”

***

 

april 28th - three months after jimin loses his job with second chances

 

“And why am I wearing a tuxedo?” Jimin used the window to pick at the dark roots that were growing beneath his perfect mane of gold. He needed his hair re-dyed, but money was tight and he couldn’t afford it. He wondered if it was time to borrow money from Hayoon again. “Where did you even find this?  I thought I sold all of these fancy suits for cash. I’m pretty sure that’s how we paid the light bill last month,” Jimin laughed.

“Nope. We kept this one tux for special occasions,” Jeongguk explained. 

“And this is a special occasion?”

“Yep.”

“Then why are we on the bus?”

“Because we don’t own a car. Sometimes even special occasions require the bus…under the circumstances. But we’re sitting up front. This is where we have the best view so that makes it special.”

Jimin laughed so loudly that the other patrons glared at them. They were already met with disdain for boarding the city bus wearing tuxedos like a couple of penguins. Making a scene just made everyone roll their eyes even more.  

“Where are we going? We’ve been on the bus for an hour. No one we know lives in this fancy neighborhood. We can’t even afford to get snacks at the 7-11 over here. We’re out of our league my love,” Jimin said sweetly. He gazed into Jeongguk’s eyes. He loved him so much. Even though Jimin’s life had hit the skids over the last three months, none of it really mattered as long as he had Jeongguk by his side. He felt that  financial challenges built grit and character. He embraced the tough times because he knew that good times would one day come around again. “Did I tell you that I submitted an application for that open janitor position at SOPA? If I get it, we can work together. That would be cool. We can fuck in the bathroom after all of the kids go home.”

“Nah. Don’t think so. Besides, I quit yesterday.”

“You…you quit?”

“I’ve grown out of that job.”

“But Ggukie, we don’t have any money. I’ve blown through most of my savings. What will we do?”

“We will live a lavish life, buying all of the things we want, traveling to all of the places we want.”

“Are you high? Have you been sniffing that glue that the teenagers always leave in the bathroom? I have no idea what you’re talking about and nothing you said makes sense.”

“Don’t worry about that application.”

“Why?”

“Neither of us will be working at SOPA. I have another job for you.”

“Really? Why haven’t you said anything about it? What is going on with you? Why are you so mysterious? What is the job and when can I start?”

“You can start immediately. But really that would be up to you.”

“Please stop torturing me. What job?” Jimin grabbed Jeongguk’s hand.

“I need a tour manager. Someone who can book venues, negotiate earnings, buy fancy tuxedos and keep me well fucked all at the same time.”

“A-a-a tour manager? You’re going back on the road? You’re going to play again?” Jimin said with a stunned expression.

“I’ve received multiple offers to start playing. So many new orchestras out there are trying to make names for themselves. The money is very good. But I don’t want to go without you. So…will you be my tour manager?”

“HOLY SHIT! ARE YOU SERIOUS RIGHT NOW?”

“And no goofing off just because you’re fucking the boss. I expect you to treat me like any other tour manager. Be stern with me. Make sure that I practice, book the best hotels, keep the cello groupies away.”

“Jeonggukie, oh my God. OH MY GOD!” Jimin looked around the bus. He wasn’t sure if this was real. It was like a dream come true. “What’s my salary?” He said seriously. He had to at least pretend to negotiate.

“Whatever you want it to be. Find out what tour managers make and then send a memo to my secretary.”

“You have a secretary?”

“Yes, you. You’re my secretary. So you and you work out that salary.”

Jimin laughed hysterically again. “Alright, I accept your offer.”

“Good. Our first gig is in two weeks. I need a practice schedule, flight bookings, hotels, autograph sessions. All of that stuff. Get to it, my love.”

“But how do we pay for all of this? You haven’t even had your first concert yet so we have no money. In case you haven’t noticed, we’re broke.”

“We’re a lot of things, but broke isn’t one of them,” Jeongguk kissed Jimin on the lips. 

“Yeah, you’re definitely high.” The bus stopped. Jimin’s eyes bulged. “Why are we here? What’s going on, Jeongguk? Why are we at your family’s mansion?’

“Because this is now our mansion. We live here. Thanks to Min, I was able to legally get this house transferred back to me as the sole heir of the Jeon family. She’s a beast of a lawyer. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you about it sooner. I wanted to make sure it was perfect before I brought you here for the first time. This is why we are wearing tuxedos. We are celebrating our new home. I’ve had it redecorated, and modernized. I made a few changes to the structure to open it up and really make it appealing. You even have your own art room where you can draw your sketches in peace. No more rose wallpaper and creepy paintings on the wall either. It is completely redone for us to start our new lives together. If there is anything you don't like, we’ll change it,” Jeongguk stared at Jimin. He felt a love so deep that he couldn't tell where it started and where he ended.

“This isn’t possible. How did you keep this hidden from me?” Jimin ran up and down the courtyard. He salsa danced through the gate as they headed for the front door.

“I hid it until everything was ready. Don’t be angry, I really wanted this to be a surprise. I sold many of the artifacts that belonged to my family to earn seed money for our new life. I had no idea that stuff was worth so much. I thought Grandma Nara gave away everything, but she tried her best to keep the stuff that really mattered. We’re quite wealthy now, Jimin. Not that it matters, but you were accustomed to a certain lifestyle and it’s the lifestyle you deserve. I want to give you everything, even though I know it will always pale in comparison to what you have given to me.”

“I would live in that one bedroom apartment with you forever. Money is the last thing I care about these days. Now…let’s be honest. I’m not going to turn my back on all of this. I mean, it’s rightfully yours and I’m honored to share it with you.”

“Rightfully ours. One last surprise.”

“I can’t handle anymore. Jeongguk I have too much to process already. You’re trying to kill me.”

“I’m not though. Here’s the reason we took the bus.” Jeongguk pointed to a brand new Porsche Macan in the driveway. “You seem to like that brand, so…,” Jeongguk shrugged. “I figured we could take the bus here and then go for a ride later.” He smiled proudly.

“AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH is that a new version of my car?” He screamed and ran around in circles. And then he salsa danced again. He jumped into Jeongguk’s arms and dared him to catch him. “A NEW CAR! YOU HAVE TO BE FUCKING KIDDING ME!” Jeongguk swung him around in circles as they walked around Jimin’s new car. He spent about twenty minutes admiring it before Jeongguk finally convinced him to take a tour around their new house.

Jeongguk punched a code into the digital lock that secured the iron gate. The door immediately clicked and they stepped inside. The smell of fresh paint still lingered in the air. All of the remodeling had been completed in only two months because Jeongguk hired a large crew to make sure they kept a tight schedule. The house looked like something out of a magazine. Gone were the archaic oil paintings and the discolored floral wallpaper. They were replaced with new modern art and calm colored walls. The furniture had a modern style and the entire place was decorated in neutral tones. It was all very elegant and rich looking. Although Jimin never judged Nara’s style, he was happy to know that Jeongguk didn’t expect them to maintain it for posterity.

“Are you sure this is our-our home? I’m high right? I’m the one who’s high? This is a hallucination, right?” Jimin looked up at the crystal chandeliers that dangled from the ceiling and thick Egyptian carpeting bordered by Bamboo hardwood floors. There was a grand piano in almost every room on the first floor and multiple cellos throughout. In the largest room was an empty cello stand. The room was much cooler than all of the others, held at a crisp sixty-nine degrees. Jimin knew immediately that was the room where Jihyo’s cello would find its forever home. 

The entire house was filled with opulence like he’d never seen. And he was there sharing it with the love of his life. Tears started to drip from the corners of his eyes as he took it all in. There was so much to say, so much to see, so much to do, and so much to love - about his boyfriend.

***

 

June, 27th - One Year after Jeongguk Returned To Touring  

 

The large bedroom was sufficiently dark, with only the light of the full moon glowing through the window. Two shadows moved, the glow of their flesh lifted with each pass under the concentrated light. The scent of cherry blossoms was present throughout.

 

The naked Cellist sat on a polished wooden chair, his bare ass squelching softly against the smooth surface with each subtle shift. His skin was flushed from exertion, as it glistened underneath the amber glow of the intruding moon. With the cello nested between his thighs, the cool lacquered wood pressed against his cock, the contact sending a faint shiver through him as he drew the bow across the strings. Each note vibrated deeply with a soul stirring lament that filled the air. The cello’s resonance hummed against his exposed flesh, hardening his cock even more.

 

Across the room stood Jimin, his breath catching with emotion over every single note. He watched his lover’s muscles flex with vibrant strokes of the bow. The intimate press of Jeongguk’s genitals against the instrument’s curve was hypnotic, arousing him to heights he never thought possible. It was possible to cum, just by watching, he was sure of it. 

Jimin’s dick was ridgid, jetting out from the unzipped crotch of his expensive navy blue slacks. He took his time stroking himself, careful not to do too much too soon. He had to save himself for the delicious fuck that loomed ahead. There were no moans, only gentle breaths as he massaged the lube along the throbbing vein of his shaft. His pulse quickened and his skin heated as he fixated on the primal connection between the man he loved and his cello. Jimin’s eyes traced Jeongguk’s rugged, muscular thighs as they gripped the instrument. He was captivated by the vulnerability and power that his boyfriend balanced so effortlessly.

The song cresced with notes soaring while his fingers danced with musical precision. Eyes closed, and head tilted back, Jeongguk was lost in the melodic display of his own brilliance. After several minutes of his nude serenade, his playing neared the end.

Jimin’s desire burned hot yet unspoken. As the final note lingered, he stepped fully into the bedroom. With seamless grace, he pulled away from his jacket, slipped his tie over his head, and ripped away the crisp white collared shirt. By the time he reached his lover, he was stripped from the waist up. He held his cock in his hand while continuing to massage lube over himself.

Still resting behind the body of his cello, Jeongguk turned to watch his Alpha lover saunter towards him. He rested his instrument in its cradle and lifted his sweltering, naked body to its feet. He could see Jimin’s cock sticking out, the tip waiting to be serviced. With a simple drop to one knee, he met his boyfriend’s dick as it arrived.  

 

Jimin smiled down at him, admiring the way the light of the moon rested in his dimples. He caressed Jeongguk’s hair, which was much shorter now, “I’ve missed you.”

Jeongguk didn’t say anything. He simply opened his mouth and welcomed Jimin to drop his thick, long cock on his tongue. The entire area of Jimin’s crotch was warm and moist. There was a musky aroma, the faint smell of cologne, airplane, and stale piss. It all mixed in Jeongguk’s mouth wonderfully, driving him to stroke himself for his own satisfaction. He filled his entire mouth, pushing Jimin’s cock over his tongue while massaging the tip against the velvety softness of his inner cheeks. 

He knew his elder wanted to fuck, but if Jimin wanted his ass, he was going to have to play by Jeongguk’s rules, which meant filling his mouth with the salted cum that he’d craved for a week. He sucked harder, pushing the shaft so deep down his throat that it made his eyes water. He gagged. Never had he wanted to choke on a dick as badly as he wanted to choke on Jimin’s. He missed him so much that it physically hurt. Having him back rejuvenated him, made him whole. 

The moon shifted again, revealing the silhouette of their sexual entanglement against the window. Jeongguk still sat on his knees, swallowing the full length of his boyfriend’s cock.

Jimin’s legs trembled, “Careful, careful,” he suddenly pulled away. Mere nano seconds were all that stood between him and a load of cum splashing all over Jeongguk’s face. He backed away from the sucking demon while he caught his breath. “You know I want it but I don’t want to cum too fast.”

Jeongguk crawled on his knees, pursuing him, “And you can have it, but give me what I want first.” Jeongguk immediately pushed Jimin’s slacks all the way down. He reached his hands around Jimin’s small body and dug his long sensuous fingers into the flesh of Jimin’s ass. He pulled him towards him, bobbling his head around until he had Jimin’s dick trapped inside of his mouth again. The flavored lube was yet another scent added to the mixture in his mouth. He continued to suck him with the same determination he displaced when playing his instrument. 

Jeongguk made his point very clear. The evening was going to be a marathon and not a sprint. He took the throne as a messy power bottom, dictating when and how his ass was going to be surrendered to his jet lagged Jiminie. He gagged himself again as he retrofitted Jimin’s long hard pipe down his slim, tight throat. His embedded fingers marked his territory, leaving faint red indentations along Jimin’s bare bottom. Spit dripped from his mouth in long clear strings. His lips stretched as they struggled to accommodate Jimin’s massive hard flesh. Suddenly he felt a violent tug at his hair, like it was being ripped from the root as Jimin twisted the strands around his hands.

Jimin made a sound that was somewhere between a cry and a pained whimper. His legs trembled again. He toppled over, falling into a climax that left his entire body weak. He leaned over Jeongguk’s back for support as he fought to remain standing while his nuts emptied. His cum flooded the hot mouth of his Cello God-like creature. He came so hard, so fast that he was almost dizzy. Finally he collapsed to the ground, pulling Jeongguk down with him. He rolled over the top of him, breathing heavy, dick aching, “Fuck, I love you.”

Jeongguk still demanded things his way. “Get hard again. Like now.”

“Give me a second…? I just blew a week’s worth of cum in your mouth.” Jimin laughed. He loved it when Jeongguk was in his spoiled slut era.

“No rest for the weary.” Jeongguk wrestled Jimin to his back and then sat on his face. 

Jimin could feel the hardness of Jeongguk’s amethyst ass plug bumping against his teeth as he rested his entrance against Jimin’s mouth. Jimin had been with Jeongguk long enough to know what he wanted. He always liked his first orgasm of the night to be finger-fucked out of him. He reached up and grabbed Jeongguk’s plug, pulling it free. With a few modest licks, he pressed his tongue gently inside of his anxious lover. 

Jeongguk rotated his hips, forcing Jimin’s tongue deeper inside of him. “Eat it up,” he hiccuped and moaned as Jimin licked the rim of his ass while stuffing it with fingers. He loved being fucked by Jimin’s little fingers. It was the perfect contradiction to the evil sword of a dick that he would bounce on later. As Jimin licked him and fingered him, Jeongguk dragged his tight fist across his shaft. Playing cello naked did it for him. He could barely hold his cum. The pleasure of the fingers inside of him made him want to scream, so he did.

“FUUUUUUCK. I’m cumming,” he said in record time. He rotated his hips around in circles to increase the friction of Jimin’s tongue against his gaping hole. His teeth began to chatter as he released a hard  breath. He grabbed Jimin’s wrist and pushed his fingers deeper inside of him, as far inside as they could reach. And then with one final shudder that constricted his abs and compressed his biceps, his body tensed into a tight ball. With a few strokes of his own cock, he released, squirting his cum all over Jimin’s chest. “JESUS FUCKING CHRIST!” Were the last words he screamed.

 

After a body shuddering orgasm, Jeongguk finally exhaled. Falling away from Jimin’s face, he laid on his back beside him, his ass still dripping wet with a combination of lube and Jimin’s spit. Even though his eyes were still closed, a bright smile crossed his face. 

Jimin spoke into the darkness, “You’re like a fucking drug. I’ve never been this high from just fucking.”

“That’s because you’ve never fucked someone you love as much as you love me. And the night is young. I have so many drugs to give you.” Jeongguk laughed arrogantly. He rolled over to his side and tucked his hands under his face, “How was the trip? What did you think about the new concert hall in Australia?”

Jimin sat up on his elbows, “Oh Jeonggukie it…it’s incredible. I can’t wait to see you play there.”

“So the long trip was worth it?”

“Missing you wasn’t worth it, but making sure we booked the best venue for that leg of the tour was definitely worth it.”

“And we’re booked?”

“We’re booked. Your tour dates for Australia start next summer. Tickets are already on sale and just before I left, they were selling out.” Jimin cutely wrinkled his nose with excitement.

“Thank you for going all that way. I’m looking forward to performing there. This entire tour has exceeded my wildest dreams. I had no idea that my fans would welcome me back with so much support. It feels so good to be appreciated. I read through the new tour schedule that you put together. You’re so busy these days handling my career, I’m starting to wonder if we need to hire an assistant for you.”

“An assistant!” Jimin was appalled, but not really. “Have I once lagged in my sexual responsibilities?” He asked jokingly.

“Not once,” Jeongguk confirmed.

“Then I don’t need an assistant. You said as long as I kept you well fucked, then I was doing my job. I’m doing just fine and I don’t need an assistant.” Jimin slapped Jeongguk on his sweaty chest.

“I knew I made the right decision to start playing again. I just wish Jihyo was…,” Jeongguk stifled himself. He knew better than to open that emotional can of worms. 

Rolling over the top of Jimin’s body, he parted Jimin’s lips with his smaller, thin ones and engaged him with a kiss. He kissed his soul empty, pouring every bit of feeling he had into the man he loved. He caressed him intimately, dragging his strong hands and long fingers across Jimin’s crotch. With rough hard tugs, he played with Jimin’s cock, forcing it to harden again. 

Jimin suddenly quivered when he felt a glob of cold lube drip over him. Jeongguk massaged it, buffing it to slickness. The Maestro’s hole was ready, stretched and extended by the amethyst plug he’d worn all day. Jimin pushed him to all fours. Lining up behind him, he surveyed the glistening hole that had been specially prepared just for him. 

Jeongguk ran the fine Egyptian carpet between his fingers as he prepared to be mounted. Jimin gripped his cock and bounced it several times against the plumpness of Jeongguk’s ass before pushing into him with a violent thrust. He was met with a slight bit of resistance that he easily forced his way through. His favorite feeling in the world was when he bottomed out, threading his dick through Jeongguk’s silky hole until he was balls deep. “Uh fuck!” He released a slow whimper. He froze, just for a moment, just to contemplate the warmth of being completely inside of him. He could feel Jeongguk’s tunnel pulsating, quivering, waiting to be devoured by Jimin’s long thick flesh. 

Jimin didn’t believe in being delicate, not with his big muscular beast. He fucked him to his satisfaction, only easing up if Jeongguk asked him to - which he never did. His hips moved at a frenetic pace, desperate to fill the growing need in his loins. With each thrust he wanted more. With each thrust he drove deeper. With each thrust he crashed into Jeongguk’s hard body, pushing him across the carpet. He bucked, slipping in and out of his slit.

“Oh shit,” Jeongguk moaned as he fell forward, landing on his stomach. 

Jimin was fucking him so hard that he could no longer hold himself on his knees. He was knocked to the ground. There he lay flat with his hard cock pressed painfully into the carpet as Jimin crowned him and continued to fuck into him. Jimin fell over Jeongguk’s back in a push up position, with his hips rotating wildly while his lips pressed to Jeongguk’s ear with lustful taunts.

“You feel so fucking good, you’re…you’re going to kill me. Shit! I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you.”  Jimin continued to say it over and over until his voice finally cracked with orgasm. 

“Fuck me harder, get me there,” Jeongguk demanded. Jeongguk slapped his hand against the floor. He cried out, “I love you, I love you, I love you.”  Their ‘I love you’s crossed over each other, until they faded into passionate moans. 

With his knees and the tips of his toes dug deeply into the carpet Jimin pulled out, leaving just the smallest bit of his tip inside, tickling Jeongguk’s rim. But the slippery wet plunge back in was more than he could handle. He lost his voice as the veins constricted in his neck and his back contorted with pleasure. He came hard within the depths of his cello God’s body, coating his insides with his seed. He grunted like a savage as his teeth clamped down onto the skin along the back of Jeongguk’s neck.

At the exact same time, Jeongguk’s cock burned as the skin of his dick slid back and forth against the carpet. Jimin’s weight pinned him down while he dick whipped him into the ground. Jeongguk’s eyes began to roll as the sensation exploded in his legs, back and groin. His cum spewed into the expensive fibers, leaving a milky puddle underneath him.

 

Their brains went dark. Physical awareness of each other was all they could manage. Too mutually enchanted to even crawl to the bed, they lay there on their fancy expensive carpet, basking in the proverbial afterglow. The mansion that surrounded them was quiet once again. The king size bed behind them sat empty while the two of them fell asleep on the floor. Material things meant nothing to them, as long as they had each other.

***

Two years after Dr. Yuri reported Second Chances to the Seoul Psychiatric Association

 

Mingyu sat in the parking lot across the street, staring at the building. The entire front facia of the place had been remodeled, thanks to Jimin’s tirade a couple of years earlier. Gone were the garish neon signs and large picture windows. The new design was a bit more “Jimin proof” with architectural structures and sturdy walls replacing the picture windows that comprised the entire north side of the building. Passersby could still see the opulent decor inside but the lobby was much less vulnerable to vandalism by disgruntled individuals.

Mingyu pulled a cigarette from his coat pocket and flicked it against the striker. The head of the match sparked with a sharp hiss as he held it to the white wrapped paper. His eyes crossed slightly as he watched the orange flame blossom and then grow red as he took a deep satisfying puff. 

Smoking - not something he’d ever thought he’d do. But the stress of being the sole proprietor of a business he didn’t want, had driven him to that point. He was ten minutes late opening for the day. But he didn’t care. There were no pending appointments until noon. The new batch of consultants just didn’t match up against the old crew: Jimin, Hobi, even his dad. But since the tumultuous upheaval by the Psychiatric Board, the place hadn’t been the same. Finding good talent was difficult because no one wanted to be associated with a place that had such a haunted past. 

 

Despite it all, business was still good. Death was one of those things that just never stopped. Grief was just one of those things that never stopped. And as long as both of them continued to happen, Second Chances would continue to thrive. Those were just the facts. 

Adding to their continued success was the fact that Si-Hyuk had been forced into retirement. He was now free to code and develop all of his own enhancements to CHLOE. The robots and AI that were used in the simulations and role plays were so real that they became exact duplicates of the people who died. His father even went so far as to call them “replacements”, a term that Mingyu hated so much that it made his skin crawl. Money was good for those to whom money mattered. Mingyu was not one of them. 

The expansion into mobile units never got off of the ground. As part of the city council’s greement to allow the business to remain open, Second Chances had to agree to a morality clause. They were even forced to bring in a full time psychiatrist to consistently do evaluations of the client’s mental health as they underwent their sessions. It was a new day at Second Chances and so much had changed. The biggest change of course was the fact that Si-Hyuk had been removed as the CEO of the company; another concession they had to make to keep the place from being shut down.

With Si-Hyuk gone, the only other person who was qualified to run the place was Jimin. And that ship had definitely sailed. So in order to keep his father from losing his life’s work, Mingyu agreed to come back as the owner and CEO. 

Working there wasn’t all bad. Despite having a moral objection to bringing back the dead, he saw the good in it. And with the enhanced morality clause and his new leadership, the practices that once made him cringe, were completely eliminated. He even got rid of CHLOE and replaced her with a male named Namjoon. He was a more compassionate upgrade from CHLOE with a much stronger moral compass. Plus, having CHLOE made him uncomfortable. He had good days at Second Chances - more good than bad. Even though the bad still existed. 

As he took the last draw on his cigarette, he stepped out of the car and flung it to the ground. He looked towards the day with both dread and anticipation. Mingyu decided once and for all that it was going to be a good day; a day to make amends and heal old wounds. At least that was what he hoped.

***

 

Once again Jimin rode beside Jeongguk with absolutely no idea where they were going. At least they weren’t on the bus this time. The younger drove a familiar route, one that Jimin had driven many times. He stared through the window trying to get his bearings and an understanding of where they might be going.

“What kind of surprise did you say this was?” Jimin asked.

“A good one. Trust me. That last surprise a couple of years ago worked out really well,” Jeongguk laughed.

Jimin had to admit he was right. Although, there was an uneasy feeling in his stomach about this surprise. They drove for another thirty minutes before turning down the block near Jimin’s old apartment. Jimin’s leg began to bounce. He didn’t like being so close to the Second Chances building. “Can we turn here? I don’t even want to see that place.” He gestured towards the side of the street where Second Chances had been remodeled.

“Too bad…because that’s where we’re going,” Jeongguk grimaced. He knew he was about to get an earful, but he believed in what he was doing.

“WHAT? What the fuck do you mean that’s where we’re going? I have no interest in going back there. Besides, what for? Why? These people tried to have you locked up in a mental institution. They sent me to jail. They’re very, very bad people. Why would we go back there?”

Jeongguk pulled into the parking lot across the street. “I need you to trust me. Please give this a chance. I have something for you...something to give you. I think…it’s important.”

“Fine. Whatever you have for me, give it to me back at home. We don’t need anything from here. I’m not getting out of this fucking car. If you need to go in there, then fine. I’ll be right here when you get back.” Jimin folded his arms and turned to stare out of the window.

“I was afraid you would say that.” Jeongguk jumped out of Jimin’s Porsche and marched around to the passenger’s seat. He opened the door and pulled Jimin from the truck, throwing him over his shoulder. 

“OH FUCK YOU! Put me down! Put. Me. Down! I’m not going.” He kicked and screamed, throwing a proper grown man tantrum. Jeongguk disregarded his objections and carried him through the front door.

A fresh faced kid, no older than twenty, greeted them when they came in, “Welcome to Second Chances. And who is your appointment with today?”

“Nobody. We’re leaving,” Jimin marched angrily towards the door as soon as Jeongguk placed him on his feet. Jeongguk grabbed him and threw him back over his shoulder again. Jimin slapped him across the back, “You are sooo about to lose the President of your cello groupie fan club, I swear to God,” Jimin complained.

Mingyu heard the commotion and stepped out of his office. He greeted them as modestly as possible, “Hello Jeongguk. I see you were able to convince him to come…sorta.” Mingyu laughed at the sight of Jimin being held against his will by his bulky boyfriend. 

Jeongguk placed Jimin on the ground again and held his hand to keep him from leaving, “Say hello, Jimin.”

“Fuck you. How about I say that?” Jimin folded his arms and eyed the front door again. 

“Let me try,” Mingyu stepped forward and gave Jimin a hug. “It’s been too long. You look great, as usual. The good life has always agreed with you. Jeongguk is taking good care of you…I can see it in your eyes, you’re more in love than ever. That makes me happy,  Jimin. So happy.”

Jimin rolled his eyes and refused to speak to Ming. 

“Let’s go to my office. We have much to discuss.”

“We don’t have a single fucking thing to discuss,” Jimin was growing angrier by the minute. 

“Please behave. This is important to me. Ming has asked us here with great sincerity. He has things that he needs to say and we’re going to be good humans and listen. We don’t have to forgive him, but we do owe him a chance to apologize.  Jimin, I know this place has nothing but bad memories for you, but there are really good memories here for me. This is where I found Jihyo again. As fucked up as Si-Hyuk is, I will never make him out to be the villain, because he gave her back to me for a couple of years. Out of respect, I want to hear what Mingyu has to say.”

Jeongguk always had a way of making Jimin see reason. He dropped his defenses and agreed to listen to Mingyu. They followed him back to his office which looked completely different from the days when it was occupied by Si-Hyuk. The new office was bright, modern, and slick. It was twice the size of Si-Hyuk’s office and on the other side of the building. He had turned one of the old PROD rooms into his new office space. Jimin was intrigued. It had been a very long time since he’d walked those halls. 

“Please have a seat. I know you’re itching to get out of here, so I won’t keep you long. I asked you here plain and simple - to apologize.” Mingyu lit another cigarette.

“Since when do you smoke?” Jimin frowned. It was odd for Ming to have a cigarette in his mouth, considering how much he always hated it. 

“Since the city of Seoul dumped this place in my lap?”

“Huh?”

“Maybe you haven’t heard, my dad was sentenced to a year in jail for the crimes he committed against you a couple of years ago. I fought hard to keep him out of jail. He’s old and he wouldn’t have survived that kind of incarceration. Say what you want about him, he’s still my child’s grandfather and my dad and I...love him. The new DA accepted a deal and the city council unanimously agreed that if he stepped down from the CEO position of Second Chances, then they wouldn’t prosecute. We took the deal. But there was no one else to run this place, so I was tagged. I gave up my retirement dreams and came back. I don’t regret it because otherwise he would have lost everything. But…well…that’s all I’ll say about that.”

“Wow. Second Chances with no Si-Hyuk?” Jimin shook his head.

“I’m sorry Jimin. I am sorry for everything he did and everything I didn’t do, which was to stop him when I saw that he was getting out of control. Honestly, I didn’t really care what he did anymore, I just wanted out. I wanted this place to be his problem - not mine. In doing so, I allowed him to mistreat some really good people, namely you and Jeongguk. The past is the past and there is nothing I can do to change it. If I could, I would.”

Jimin’s expression didn’t soften at all. In fact he continued to sit there with his arms folded, barely looking in Mingyu’s direction.

Since Jimin was being stubborn, Jeongguk threw Mingyu a life raft, “You declined to press charges against me and Jimin for destroying your property. That went a long way towards mending the fences. We never had a chance to thank you properly for that. So…thank you.”

“It was the least I could do…considering. With that said, I need to explain something to you. Please understand, I’m not making excuses. I just need you to understand some things that maybe you didn’t understand before. I want you to know more about my dad and why he did what he did,” Mingyu offered them both glasses of whiskey.

Jimin immediately thought of Nara. He accepted it quietly, with a slight smile on his face. His mood lightened. He was much more willing to listen to Mingyu with the memory of Nara on his mind. “Sure. Tell us what you think we need to hear.”

“Namjoon. Bring up the pictures.” The new AI bot known as Namjoon rotated a series of three dimensional full size photos of a tall beautiful woman and her young son. Her son had a striking resemblance to Jimin.

“Namjoon? Who the hell is Namjoon? What happened to CHLOE?” Jimin gawked.

“Namjoon is our newest prototype. He’s my father’s latest invention. I insisted that he remove our previous version. CHLOE is…dead. Where she should be.” Mingyu drew their attention to the floating profiles of the two people in front of them. “This is my mother - CHLOE.”

“Ok…so like…ok.” Jimin had always heard rumors that CHLOE was programmed with the voice of Si-Hyuk’s wife. But Jimin always assumed his wife was still alive. Si-Hyuk always spoke about her in the present tense, like she was still living. “She’s dead?”

“She’s your mother?” Jeongguk said with wide eyes.

“Yep. This is my mom. Say hello mom.”

“Hello. Thanks for coming Jimin,” It was CHLOE’s voice. “I miss working with you.”

“Yep, you’re going to have to explain this shit most immediately.” Jimin rubbed his temples. “And why does that kid look like me?” Jimin rubbed his temples even harder.

“Pure coincidence. But…haven’t you ever wondered why my dad hired you on the spot with no qualifications, no formal interview, just your looks?”

“No…well yes…ok yes, definitely yes.”

“It’s because you look like my older brother, Jin. He was sixteen when he…and my mother…,” Mingyu looked around the room. He stared right through the images of his family that spun in front of him. 

“Died?” Jeongguk filled in the blank.

“Yea. That. I was only three years old. I barely remember them. But my dad…he was left a broken man. It’s why I was so furious when he decided to sacrifice Jeongguk - considering how similar their stories were. But that’s when I knew that he was not well in the head. Anyway, when my mom and brother died, dad just became a blob on the couch. He loved my mother fiercely. They were high school sweethearts. But he especially loved my brother. In dad’s eyes, he was the one who could carry the family name. My brother was a genius and he loved working alongside my father in this shithole. He loved him, much more than he ever loved me. I was never good enough and…,” Ming caught himself. It was not the right time to purge all of his daddy issues. He refocused. “Anyway, after they died, my dad lost his will to live. No one could get through to him. The one light in his life was his programming. He was a brilliant engineer for Hyundai and he was working on their Generative AI project for self-flying cars. He tinkered here and there outside of his official work and before he knew it, he had developed something quite special, all on the company’s dime. He had an idea, a brilliant idea, but a highly controversial idea.”

“Bringing back the dead through artificial intelligence?” Jeongguk finished his sentence again.

“Yea. We started small. As just a novelty for bored housewives. But as our reputation grew and father continued to enhance the experiences, we found ourselves highly sought after by the rich. You know the rest.”

“Yes, we know the rest,” Jimin said. Suddenly his heart softened. The fact that he had been hired because he looked like Si-Hyuk’s dead son was incredibly sad and difficult to process. He stared at poor Mingyu who was ultimately just a pawn in all of it. For the first time, he felt bad for him. 

Jeongguk had something to say and he didn’t care how angry it made Jimin, “Don’t ever let anyone tell you that what you do here is wrong. You should be proud of your father’s work. It’s a miracle that he has created right here on earth. I know that it’s not perfect. And I think there needs to be a lot more oversight and evaluation before offering services to grieving family members. But that doesn’t change the fact that you truly give people a second chance…to say goodbye. I cannot thank you enough for what you gave to me. But there comes a time when people should be forced to leave. I’m glad Jihyo is gone. I’m glad that I had the strength to send her away. Because at some point she hindered my growth and forced me into emotional stagnation where I couldn’t advance to any other stage of grief. I was paused…forever. Second Chances was my real Caesura, not my mutism. It’s that lack of emotional advancement that’s the real danger here. But the other parts…the other parts were wonderful.” Jeongguk stared straight ahead as a small tear glistened in his eye.

Mingyu nodded, “I agree. It is the only reason I agreed to take over. We do help people. We do. Maybe not as robustly as my father likes to think. But we have a purpose. We have value. My dad wasn’t always a crazy man. Grief drove him there. He created an entire tier seven for himself, complete with a wife that had been dead for twenty years and a new salesman who reminded him of his son. That’s why he was so hard on you Jimin. He wanted you to be something that you weren’t. He wanted you to be a replica of him. He wanted you to be the son that he loved the most. And when you didn’t, when you chose Jeongguk over him. I think something in him broke. Again, not making excuses. Just trying to explain how we got here.”

“It’s been two years. It’s a little late for this conversation, don’t you think?” Jimin said angrily.

“No. It’s never too late to admit you were wrong and apologize. That is what today is all about,” Mingyu remarked.

“What do you mean?” Jimin felt that Mingyu was setting him up for something.

Jeongguk spoke again, “I have something for you. It’s not much, but it’s important.”

“What do you have for me? There is nothing here that I want.” Jimin said shakily. He could feel it. He could feel what was coming. He didn’t want it, even though he desperately wanted it.

“Which PROD would you like, Jeongguk?” Mingyu asked.

“Thirteen, of course,” Jeongguk smiled.

“Perfect. Follow me.” Mingyu led them through the newly renovated maze of their new PROD wing.

“PROD? What the hell are you talking about? Why would you want a PROD? What’s going on Jeongguk? What is this?  Ming - why are you taking us to a PROD room? Talk to me! Someone tell me what’s going on.”

Jeongguk held both of Jimin’s hands and looked directly into his eyes, “I told you about my sister, but you confided in me too. You told me about the night your mom died and how you refused to say goodbye because you were in denial. You knew deep down inside that she was dying, but you refused to go to her. You refused to be by her bedside. Even though you knew it was the end. Just like you knew that Grandma Nara was dying and you risked your life to get me there because you didn’t want me to have the same regrets that you did. And I owe you my life for getting me there in time. But now, it’s your turn. Your turn to go back. Your turn to say those things that you needed to say. It’s time to heal for good Jiminie. It’s a tier one, single session, ten minutes. I’ll stay right here with you. Go say goodbye Jimin. No drugs, no alcohol, no excuses, no denial. Just you and…your mother.” 

Jimin immediately broke into tears. He twisted around and shook his head left and right, “I can’t. I can’t. She hates me. She’ll never forgive me for not coming to her. I can’t face her.”

“You can. But I won’t force you. I would never do that. If you truly don’t want this, I’ll understand.”

Jimin stalled as the tears began to freely stream down his face. “You don’t even know my mother. You have no idea who she is or what she looks like. How did you even complete the profile?”

“Hayoon. She agreed to help me with the evaluation. Mingyu, is everything ready?” Jeongguk continued to hold Jimin’s hand as they stood outside of PROD 13.

“Yep. Jimin knows how to start the simulation. The room is open. Jimin, when Jeongguk came to me with this idea. I was skeptical too considering how his sessions affected him. But this is not…that. This is but a single moment in time. The purpose of this brief meeting is to speak your mind. Say those things to her face that you’ve only said to her in death. Heal, Jiminie so you can move on. Call me when you’re done and I’ll walk you out.”

Mingyu turned to leave, but was grabbed by Jimin who hung on firmly to his arm. “Why are you doing this for me? After all I did to destroy this place?”

“Because…I understand. I just…understand more than you will ever know,” Ming said lovingly.

Jimin grabbed him and pulled him into a hug. He continued to weep on Ming’s shoulder as he reconciled the thought of a real Second Chance with his own mother.

“You only have ten minutes. Get in there or else I’ll have to charge you an overage fee,” Mingyu wiped the tears that erupted with Jimin’s hug. He hugged Jeongguk as well and then disappeared, leaving them to have their privacy.

Jeongguk walked to the PROD and opened the door. He looked inside of the dark room, unconsciously looking for his sister’s familiar face. She wasn’t there and that was ok with him. However, there was a large blue ambient light glowing, reflecting off of the glass table. Instead of Jihyo being there, it was Park Ji-ahn; Jimin’s mom. She was already sitting there looking around. Her eyes locked when she saw Jimin. 

“Jimin! My baby boy, you look fantastic. Oh my sweet, sweet boy it’s so nice to see you. I’ve missed you. Come in. Don’t be afraid. Do come in.” Ji-ahn smiled gently. 

Jimin fell to his knees. He was completely unable to even walk. The sight of his mother, the opportunity to talk to her again, the enormity of the moment - was all too much. He sat on his knees for five minutes weeping as Jeongguk knelt behind him, holding him in his arms. 

 

 Ji-ahn was absolutely stunning. Hayoon had decided on bringing her back in her early thirties. It was exactly how Jimin remembered her as a child. A good choice, because Jimin immediately connected with her. With Jeongguk’s assistance, Jimin finally stood to his feet. He rubbed his hands together nervously as he stared into the blue ambient light. With Jeongguk’s hand firmly stationed in the small of his back, he walked into the room, “Mom?”

“It’s me. I know you aren’t happy about these circumstances. But I promise not to keep you long. I just want to have one last talk.” Ji-han smiled again. She was absolutely stunned with how handsome Jimin had grown to be.

Jimin took one look at Jeongguk and then grabbed his hand. With his eyes full of tears he said, “Jeongguk, meet my…mom.”

***

 

Jeongguk threw the picnic basket over into the hot air balloon. He was nervous. Jimin was horny. They couldn’t even look at a hot air balloon without thinking about their first time. The operator loosened the rope and with the use of his autopilot, he slowly directed them towards their cruising altitude. 

Hand over hand, they embraced as they watched the sun rise. As per their routine, they managed to get over the Busan shore before the urge to kiss overpowered them. But the kisses were brief and didn’t last long because Jeongguk had too much that he needed to say. He walked to the edge of the basket and looked over the side while Jimin traced a puffy cloud as it traveled adjacent to them. 

A quick glance towards the heavens filled Jeongguk with optimism. In his mind, their dead loved ones were watching from the clouds, evaluating, rooting for him to get it right. After several deep breaths, he found his nerve.

“Jimin?”

“Yea.” Jimin found him in the corner of the basket and immediately pounced on him. He was beyond horny and anxious to bury his dick in Jeongguk’s angry, tight hole.

“I need to talk to you. It’s important,” Jeongguk said nervously.

“Yea, Ok.” Jimin said as he nibbled on Jeongguk’s neck, “We can talk. But you’re letting me in that ass later though right?”

“Absolutely,” Jeongguk sighed as he felt Jimin’s small fingers work his way inside of his pants. The burner cast a warm glow across their faces as the indigo night yielded to the purple and orange sunrise. He pushed Jimin away. “I need your full attention for just a moment. This is critically important.”

“Ok, ok.” Jimin stared into Jeongguk’s face as more and more of the concentrated orange glow drowned them.

“When you were with your mom. She said something to you…about me. Do you remember what it was?”

“Of course I do. She said that she approved. She said that you were good for me and I was good for you,” Jimin recounted.

“And what else did she say? Her exact words?” Jeongguk asked anxiously.

“She said that I should keep you. Hold on to you and never let you go,” Jimin sighed as he said the words. They warmed his soul and mended his mind.

“I want to keep you too. Forever. I never want to let you go.” The sky quickly transitioned from its signature purple to a mixture of rose gold and peach. They looked out over the patchwork of rolling hills as the hot air balloon drifted further and further into the sky. Jeongguk took Jimin’s hand. His fingers cool against his trembling one. He sank to one knee, the balloon swaying gently. “Jimin,” he said, voice steady despite the altitude, “I never want to let you go. You are my forever home. Will you marry me?” The ring that Jeongguk presented was a simple platinum band glinting in the glow of the early dawn. 

Jimin couldn’t believe it. He stumbled backwards, causing the basket to swing off kilter. They steadied themselves in the center and embraced in a hug. “How? When? Who? How? Are you serious?” Jimin didn’t know what to say. 

“I’m so serious. I’ve never been more serious about anything in my life. I can’t take another step without you being my husband. Please say yes.”

Jimin jumped up and down, rocking the basket, “YES, I’ll marry you. YES! YES!” He loved Jeongguk’s surprises. His eyes, wide and shimmering, met Jeongguk’s eyes as the sun fully crested. Jeongguk released a relieved exhale before they kissed with a passionate furor in celebration of their commitment to forever. 

 

The sky around them sparkled with the fresh glow of a brand new day. Rising east towards the sandy shores of the ocean, the hot air balloon traveled along its path sending them soaring over the foam capped tides of the rolling sea. The multi-colored balloon drifted through a cluster of fluffy white clouds. All was quiet with the exception of the rumbles of passing airplanes.

Jeongguk laid on the bottom of the basket, pushed to his side with Jimin spooned impossibly tight behind him. Their partially nude bodies lay atop warm, soft blankets as the elder worked his hips, once again claiming the wet hole that only belonged to him. His moans were melodic with a hard edge as he transitioned into a teeth chattering orgasm.

“Cum with me Maestro,” he whispered into the ear of the world’s most renowned Cellist. The one he was going to marry. The one he loved to the depths of his soul.

Jeongguk shivered as the combination of Jimin’s cock and Jimin’s ringed finger traveled together through his oil slicked tunnel. While Jimin’s finger pressed against his tiny walnut, his massive cock ran through him like a serpent. 

“I-I-I,” Jeongguk’s voice was hijacked by the waves of pleasure erupting through his body as he fell into a rare double orgasm. While his velvety ropes of cum whipped through the air, his prostate erupted causing his entire body to convulse. His eyes fell shut. 

Jimin held him as he trembled violently in his arms. He too quietly released his seed, flooding the Maestro’s hole with every ounce of fluid in his body. The clapping of their skin blended seamlessly into the sounds of nature that sung like a choir through the rose gold sky. Bodies warmed by the balmy heat of the burner, they made love for the first time as fiances. The basket rocked gently under the lazy breeze in counterpoint to each of their movements. 

 

But to everyone witnessing it as it floated through the sky, it appeared to be - empty.

***

Chapter Index

Epilogue - Enjambment

Enjambment - Epilogue 

🌿8k

🌿Comfort/Comfort

🌿Hurt/Comfort

🌿Mild Angst (or maybe not)

🌿The best ending possible

🌿All of my love from my heart to yours

__________________________


December 2040 - two years after Jimin and Jeongguk got engaged…

Si-Hyuk looked up from his code work. Someone was at the door, someone was interrupting him. He didn’t like interruptions. 

“Chloe, who’s at the door? Tell them to go away,” he snapped as his mind mulled over the code. This bit of code was old, utilizing mostly Python and C++. It hadn’t been touched in years despite the entirety of the rest of his program being completely upgraded. His AI models had grown so advanced that he was forced to design a new method of coding. But in order to move quickly with his new project, he needed to leverage the old code that he already had in place. The updates were going to be painful and time consuming, but it was faster than starting from scratch. His goal was to have the new prototype in the market within three years. 

The integration of predictive modeling with soft touch humanoid robots was revolutionary. He was on the brink of repopulating the earth - all from his massive basement closed in darkness. Si-Hyuk had a vision, an innovative, but troubling vision. His new robotic prototypes would procreate, almost eliminating the need for sexual intercourse with other humans. The males could eject semen during sexual intercourse, real semen extracted from the bodies of dead loved ones. The male specimens were programmable, customized to the woman’s every desire; vibrators on steroids with the benefit of being able to fertilize an egg. Women missing their male counterparts could still bear their children, due to his new method of extracting and storing semen long after death. 

As for the female side of things, that was a bit more complicated. He hadn’t quite figured out how to impregnate his female robots, but he was close. All he needed was a method for keeping the embryos frozen until they were ready to be fertilized. In his sick, faded mind, it was genius. A way for young families to continue growing even after the death of a partner. Or for single individuals who wanted kids but just didn’t want to deal with a fucking partner. A win-win as he always liked to say. The final workable models were still years off, but he was close. He was…close. 

 

Chloe, his dead wife who had been reincarnated as a robot, was a beautiful woman. Si-Hyuk used an age progression program to gradually alter the contours of her face with each passing year. The end result was an exact duplicate of his dead wife that aged right along with him. Yet this new version of his wife could never die or leave. She was his forever. He had grown to love her as much as he loved the original Chloe. 

She arrived at the basement door and yelled down to her husband, “Honey, it’s Dr. Sung from the Seoul Mental Clinic. He’s here to see you.” Chloe welcomed the Doctor and left him to make his way down the narrow stairs. The stairs creaked with each of the Doctor’s steps as his polished shoes clicked nervously against the wood. 

The Doctor’s heart pounded as he raced towards the basement. The world was falling apart and everything was slipping away. He had to get to Si-Hyuk to warn him about what was happening. The Ministry of Health and Welfare’s final report had landed on his desk. He needed help and if anyone could help him, it was the man who got him mixed up with the mess in the first place. 

Si-Hyuk hunched over his invisible keyboard as panels and panels and panels of ambient blue lighting lit the dark room. His balding head was slick with sweat as he worked in the overheated basement of his large home. Chubby hands and thick wrists moved quickly over his notebook, keeping track of every interpolation of his translated code. He looked up briefly to see Dr. Beom-Seok Sung hovering over him.

“Your timing couldn’t be worse. I’m very busy. Can this wait?” Si-Hyuk said dismissively.

“No. This can’t wait. We’re in trouble. Hell is breaking loose and you and I are in the crosshairs. You said you fixed this years ago. You told me two years ago that this was all settled.”

“What on earth are you talking about? What was handled?” Si-Hyuk still refused to look up from his work.

“This!” Dr. Sung threw a stack of bound papers twenty-four centimeters thick onto Si-Hyuk’s glass table. “The Ministry of Health and Welfare has found me liable for the incident that happened with Jeon Jeongguk, that patient from a couple of years ago. You never told me he was some kind of famous musician. They’re after me. Everyone is after me because of what I did for  you!” The Doctor screamed. “My license has been suspended indefinitely. My career is over. I have no more income. And - I could go to jail, Si-Hyuk. All because I dared to try to help you. You’re going to fix this. You’re going to tell the truth, that you forced me to commit Jeon and drug him.”

“No one twisted your arm. You knew what you were getting into,” Si-Hyuk said flippantly.

“You son of a bitch! You told me this was over. You told me this was done and I had nothing to worry about. You told me that you had control of the situation. I found out today that they have been investigating me for two fucking years without me even knowing. Dr. Yuri, one of my own proteges, led the charge in having me censured and then expelled from my own clinic. And now some lawyer named Park is threatening to use the findings from the report to sue me for drugging Jeon. My world is falling apart and it’s all because of you. I took care of Jeon at your request, exactly as you instructed.  I drugged him at your office and I had him held at the clinic. I did it because I owed you a great debt for what you did for my Ana. I did it because you assured me that you would take care of me and keep this under wraps. But you lied to me.”

“I DIDN’T LIE! I did the best that I could. In case you haven’t noticed, my life hasn’t exactly been easy either these last few years. I’ve been kicked out of my own company and forced to leave it in the hands of my spineless son. I’ve been sued, threatened with prison and called a lunatic. All because of my work which has saved thousands and thousands of people. I’ve got my own problems. You deal with yours.”

“GRANDAD!” A young voice came from the top of the stairs. Tae, Si-Hyuk’s grandson, barreled  down the creaky wooden stairs landing at his grandfather’s desk. “I did it! I figured it out.”

Si-Hyuk smiled as if he had just won a gold medal. He was happy to see his grandson, especially at that moment. “What did you figure out kiddo?” He hugged him and pulled the six year old close to him, “You remember Dr. Sung. He used to be a very good friend of mine.”

“Hi, Sir.” Tae smiled and bowed.

“Hello son. Nice to see you again,” Dr. Sung was in no mood to be polite, but he didn’t feel it necessary to take it out on the innocent boy.

“The eggs and embryos. I think I know how to store them until insemination!” Tae screamed unevenly. “What if we keep a freezer compartment in the belly of the female prototype. That way embryos can be stored. The temperature won’t bother her because she’s a robot,” he giggled. “We code using predictive analytics that will trigger the release of enzymes to thaw the embryo and prepare it for insemination. We control the code and we can send it when it’s time, whenever that is. And artificial wombs are easy to reproduce. That was done years ago. Grandma looked it up for me, the patents have expired and we can fully leverage the technology with a new twist that makes it uniquely ours.”

Si-Hyuk grinned like a greedy canary. “My boy. My grandson. That is simply brilliant. Dear God, you are the chosen one, aren’t you? You’re a genius.”

“Here are my formulas and a flow chart of my ideas. It needs work, but I’m sure you can clean it up. And don’t worry, I’ve kept all of this hidden from dad. I’m keeping the surprise. He’ll never know that I’ve been working on this with you,” Tae said proudly.

“What is this? What are you talking about? Procreation? Enzymes, embryos and robots? You’re trying to make the robots have babies?” Dr. Sung fell back onto the expensive leather couch. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “You’ve truly gone mad haven’t you? Do you have no value for human life or the human experience? Everything is about your fucking robots?”

“Oh so now you have an objection to my robots? I don’t seem to remember you objecting twenty years ago when I built a customized robot to replace your dead three-year old daughter. One that would age, so that you could watch her grow. One that could call you daddy and listen to your long boring lectures about the psychosis of mental illness. A sweet girl who bought you Father’s Day cards and invited you into a fantasy of a perfect life that you would not have had otherwise. Right now, twenty years later, she’s still waiting for you in PROD 5, just like she’s always been. You owe me. Don’t you dare shit on my innovation. You have no right!”

Tae’s eyes swirled around the room. His six year-old ears had never heard his grandfather swear before. Nor had he ever seen him so angry. 

“This is not right Si-Hyuk. This will never be allowed. The Psychological board of ethics is already all over your ass about these robots, do you really think they will let you go this far? Don’t you have morals? Don’t you have standards? Don’t you know right from wrong? Do you even care about what you’re doing to society? You’re teaching an entire generation of people that grieving doesn’t have to be part of the human experience. You’re doing much more harm than good,” Dr. Sung said genuinely. “And to bring your grandson into this. It’s just pathetic. It’s disgusting and deranged. I-I can’t sit by and allow you to bring a child into this. Ming has to know. I have to tell him what you’re doing. Someone has to stop you.”

“Oh is that how you feel? Good to know. I’ll send a note to Ming to make sure that little Ana gets shut down today. You’ll never see her again. Since you want to play games.” Si-Hyuk turned his back.

“YOU SON OF A BITCH!” The Doctor lost his patience. It was one thing to threaten to ruin humanity, but threatening to take away his sweet daughter, Ana, was a step too far. He drew back his fist and punched Si-Hyuk square in the back of the head, knocking him to the floor. 

Tae screamed as he watched Dr. Sung drop over Si-Hyuk and punch him repeatedly in the face, chest and stomach. Si-Hyuk tried to defend himself but he was no match for the much thinner, slightly younger Doctor that was hell bent on taking out all of his anger on him. Si-Hyuk managed to lift his arms over his head to block the blows that were coming fast and furious. 

As the two continued to fight and curse at each other, Tae ran upstairs, still screaming. He ran straight into his father who had stopped by to pick him up and take him home. 

“Baby, what is it? What’s wrong?” Mingyu questioned his terrified son who looked as if he were fleeing the apocalypse.

“Grandad, he’s-he’s-he’s being beaten. By one of his friends!” Tae screamed. 

“WHAT?”

“Down in the basement. Help him daddy, please!”

“Stay here. Everything will be alright. I’ll take care of it.” Mingyu threw off his suit coat and raced down the stairs. 

Within seconds he inserted himself into the middle of the fight. He immediately covered his father’s body to keep the Doctor from striking him. “STOP IT! What the hell is going on here? STOP IT!” He yelled at the two elderly men. “STOP IT!” With little effort, he managed to pull Dr. Sung off of his dad. He pushed him away and helped his father back to his chair. “You two have been friends since before I was born. What could possibly cause you to go after each other like this? What’s going on?” Ming said authoritatively. He kept a watchful eye on Dr. Sung who looked as if he were ready to pounce again.

The Doctor screamed at the top of his lungs, “DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’RE FUCKING FATHER IS UP TO? HE’S TRYING TO BUILD A ROBOT THAT CAN PROCREATE. THAT’S RIGHT. HE’S DOING IT BEHIND YOUR BACK. THIS SON OF A BITCH HAS RUINED MY LIFE AND NOW HE’S TRYING TO RUIN ALL OF SOCIETY. I TRIED TO HELP HIM. I TRIED TO BE LOYAL BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING HE DID FOR ME AND ANA, BUT NO MORE. I’M TELLING THE POLICE EVERYTHING. I’M TELLING THE MINISTRY EVERYTHING. IF I’M GOING DOWN, HE’S FUCKING GOING DOWN WITH ME!” Dr. Sung was crashing out right there in the basement. 

“Lower your voice before my son hears you,” Ming said with anger. “Dad, what’s he talking about? What procreation project?”

“It’s not what you think…,” Si-Hyuk tried to defend himself.

“Whatever it is, I don’t like the sound of it. I think we need to talk, dad.” Ming turned towards Dr. Sung, “Dr. Sung, I don’t know what’s going on here, but you need to calm down. I’m sure whatever is happening, you two can work through it. You’ve been friends for too long to let anything come between you. But for right now, Dr. Sung, respectfully I would like you to leave. I need to talk to my father.”

“Yea, I’ll leave. I can’t stand being in the presence of this crazy deranged lunatic. But there is something you should know. As a psychiatrist, I can’t allow this to go on behind your back with your own child. They’re even plotting to keep it away from you. Your disgusting father is using your son to help him invent robots who can carry a child. The kid has all kinds of plans and flow charts for his ideas. You have to stop this Ming. This madness can only go so far.” Dr. Sung tucked his shirt in and swept his wild hair back into place. He gave Ming one final warning, “Stop this. Don’t let him do this.” He picked up the thick pile of papers from Si-Hyuk’s desk and ascended the stairs. The Doctor stared creepily at Chloe as she held Tae in her arms protectively. He shook his head in disgust and then stormed out of Si-Hyuk’s house.

Ming looked over at his father who sat in his chair. His left eye was swollen twice its normal size. His lips were bloody, and there was a large gash on his chin. Ming didn’t say a word to him. He allowed him to sit there, stewing in his own guilt. Ming walked to the bottom of the stairs and called up, “Tae. Baby, can you come here for a second?”

Tae came running down the stairs. He bounded into his dad’s arms, too afraid to look at his grandfather. “Is Grandad ok?”

“He’ll be fine. Tae-Tae, I need to ask you something. You have to tell me the truth because it’s very important. Promise?”

“Promise.”

“Have you and grandad been working on a special project behind my back? Something about teaching the robots how to have babies?”

Tae gasped, “How-how did you know?” He still refused to look at his grandfather, too afraid of what he might see. 

“Just tell me the truth,” Ming could feel his body shaking with rage, but he had to keep calm for his son’s sake. 

“Yes, daddy. But you’ve ruined the surprise. Grandad asked me not to tell you because he wanted it to be a surprise. He said you would be proud of us and happy with our plan to expand the business. I’m good at this stuff daddy, and I love doing it. I think it’s what I was meant to do. Help people,” Tae said innocently. 

Mingyu cried into his son’s shoulder. He held him tightly in his arms, rocking back and forth. Despite years of trying to protect him from his father’s rancid, rotten mind, he had still managed to infect him. He sounded like him, he acted like him, he was another Si-Hyuk hiding in a six year old’s body. 

“What’s wrong daddy? Why are you crying?” Tae asked his father.

“Go upstairs. Pack up your toys. We’re leaving. I just need to say a few things to grandad and then we’re leaving,” Ming nodded. Tae ran upstairs quickly. He could sense that something was wrong. Ming turned to his dad who was slumped over the table. He was a bloody mess, but Ming didn’t care. “We’ve known since he was two years old that he was special and that he had intelligence far beyond what any boy his age should have. You were supposed to be my partner in nourishing his intelligence. I begged you to keep him away from this business. I begged you to allow him to be his own man, and let him grow up as a normal child and not some freak obsessed with dead people. I begged you! But instead you exploited him and doubled down on bringing him into this weird obsessed world of yours. I even looked the other way when you brought in a fucking robot and called it his grandmother. I placated you. I figured that as long as you were locked down here in this basement, you couldn’t cause anymore damage. You couldn’t hurt anyone, anymore. But boy was I FUCKING WRONG!” Mingyu screamed at his father.

Si-Hyuk begged, “Please. Please don’t take him away from me. He’s got it, Ming. He’s the one. He’s everything that I always wanted in you but couldn’t have. He’s just like your brother. He can take us to places we’ve never been before. Let him follow in my footsteps. Let me train him and start teaching him the business…,”

Ming rushed over to his father and pushed him hard in the chest. He stood over him screaming, “HE’S SIX FUCKING YEARS OLD. YOU SICK PATHETIC MAN. I SHOULD HAVE LET JIMIN KILL YOU ALL THOSE YEARS AGO!” Ming didn’t mean his words. He spoke through tears and anger like he had never felt before. “This is it. You will never see him again. You will never see me again. Hana is pregnant. We were planning to have a celebration to tell you the news. But not anymore. You will never see your new grandchild. Ever. And effective immediately, as the sole proprietor of Second Chances, I will begin the process of dissolving the business and shutting it down. I’ll make sure that every penny comes back to you because I don’t want your blood money. I’m fucking done.” Ming turned his back on his father. 

He was headed for the stairs when he suddenly heard a tremendous crash behind him. He rushed back to find his father laying on the floor surrounded by glass. He had fallen through the glass table and landed on the ground. He wasn’t breathing. Ming recognized immediately that it was a heart attack. 

“DAD!” He screamed with tears flowing from his eyes. “Dad, Dad no. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it. I didn’t mean it.” He threw his phone to the ground with a blood curdling scream, he yelled to the phone, “SIRI CALL 1-1-2 IT’S AN EMERGENCY.” With one rip, he pulsed Si-Hyuk’s shirt open and began CPR. “CHLOE! CHLOE!” He called for  his fake robot mother to come down and help as he began chest compressions. “Come back dad. Come back. You have a new grandbaby coming. You have to stay so you can meet her. Please dad. I’m here. I’m here. Please dad….,”

 

Despite all of Mingyu’s efforts, Si-Hyuk was pronounced dead at 4:15pm on December 8th…

***

 

Jimin parked as close to the front as possible. It was too cold outside. He raced through the front doors of the Seoul International School and immediately began looking for room 313. That was where they had agreed to meet. Jimin elected to drive since he knew where all of the nicest couture shops were located.

 

Hobi had settled well into teaching. After leaving Second Chances, it took him months and months to find another job. He decided to give up the search and do something he’d always wanted to do; teach. He went back to school to earn a teaching degree. It was rough going at first, but he eventually grew to love it. 

Jimin found Hobi’s classroom. The slew of first graders had all been dismissed for the day, all except one. The diminutive student sat alone in a desk as Hobi paced around him giving what Jimin deemed to be the most ridiculous lecture he’d ever heard. 

“Help me - help you,” Hobi said patiently. “I watched you for a full five minutes during recess. I lost count of how many boogers you ate. Tell me, Suho, why do you keep doing this? Are you hungry? Are you trying to break a world record? Does it itch in there? And where are they coming from? How do you keep a steady supply? Help me understand.”

The boy giggled and shrugged, “I dunno. Habit I guess.” He lifted his fingers to his nose and plucked another one.

“Well that nasty disgusting habit has caused three nose bleeds this week. Your mother probably thinks you’re getting in fights under my watch. Stop it. Keep your finger out of your nose. Repeat after me, I will not pick my nose or eat boogers.”

“Yea, I don’t know that I can promise that. I kind of like it,” Suho insisted. He inserted his finger again. 

Hobi slapped his hand with a ruler. “No. No. Absolutely not. Stop it.” The forlorn teacher rubbed his temples.

“Oh sorry,” the boy giggled again.

 Jimin laughed. It was exactly the same expression that Hobi would get at Second Chances whenever one of his clients got on his nerves. 

“Suho, swung his feet back and forth underneath the desk as he waited patiently for Hobi to finish his booger soliloquy, “I’m sending a note home to tell your mother about this. Now leave. And don’t touch anything on your way out. In fact, go wash your hands. God forbid you give yourself the plague or Ebola or something.”

“By Mr. Jung.” Suho jumped from the chair and headed through the door.

Hobi slammed his desk drawers shut, “Fuck ass kids. No home training and then they send them to me and expect me to perform miracles. I don’t know how to stop a booger eater. I mean what even is that? So gross to eat boogers! Who does that?” Hobi fussed quietly.

Jimin fell against the wall laughing. He skillfully avoided the booger eater as he passed him in the hallway. He stepped into the classroom and announced himself, “Rough day?”

“JIMIN!” Hobi’s entire expression changed. He ran towards Jimin and embraced him in a hug. “When did you get back from the tour? I thought you still had another week.”

“No, we cut it short. Still too much to do. The wedding is in less than two weeks and we don’t even have tuxes.”

“And how is the Maestro these days?”

“He’s incredible. Back in full Superhero form. He’s, he’s just… I don’t have words.”

“Damn. I can see the love. Good. Good for you, good for both of you.”

“Jeongguk proposed two years ago, but our schedules have just been so hectic that it took forever to get here. And we wouldn’t be here if at all it weren’t for you and everything you did to help us. You’ve become one of our closest friends and that’s why I’m so excited that you agreed to be our best man,” Jimin smiled.

“Yeaaaaaa, about that. Any luck with making him change his mind about having an outside wedding on the beach in the middle of December?” Hobi asked with a grimace.

“Nope. But it’s difficult to resist him. Especially when he goes all Maestro Diva on me. He’s very much like Nara, determined, insistent and unapologetic when fighting for what he feels is right. Every single one of the elements in our wedding have special meaning for us. For him, it's like putting together a sonata of our life. If a single note is missing, or a rest, or a sharp, or an alto clef, then it ceases to be the song that it's supposed to be. At least that’s how he sees it. Every detail matters.”

“Including the hot air balloon?”

“Even that…especially that,” in an instant, Jimin found himself daydreaming about fucking Jeongguk on the bottom of the hot air balloon.

“Hello! Where did you go?” Hobi snapped his fingers to get Jimin’s attention. He watched as Jimin’s eyes glossed over. “Yep, I don’t even want to know,” he said wisely.

“Sorry. I got lost in thought for a moment. Are you ready to go? It’s getting late and we have a lot of shopping to do. I have to find the perfect tux today. I’m simply out of time.”

“I’m ready. It’s so good to see you again Jimin. I missed you so much…both of you.”

“Race you to the car?”

“Why race?”

“Because it’s freezing outside and much too cold to walk.”

***

 

December 24th - Jimin and Jeongguk’s Wedding Day

 

A December wedding; under a sky heavy with thick white clouds and a piercing orange sun. Snow dusted the sand, transforming the shoreline into a watercolor canvas where frost kissed the golden grains. The sounds of the sea crashing against the large boulders could be heard clearly, even though all of the windows were closed. Frothy bubbles rolled forward over the shore and then receded quickly to recharge and start all over again. All while the Seagull’s cries pierced the quiet air.

 

Jimin shook his head as he stared through the window at the ornately decorated arch that stood at the shore’s edge. All of their favorite flowers were there; roses, gardenias, lilies, and hydrangeas - all in pristine white with bushy greenery cascading from the metal frame. Fifty-eight white wooden chairs with velvety ivory cushions sat facing the sea in perfectly aligned, neat little rows. Large heated, cream-colored blankets were draped over each chair, waiting to warm the cold bodies as they watched the ceremony.

Time was moving, but not fast enough. Most of the guests had already arrived but they didn’t dare venture out to the icy beach. Instead, they stood huddled underneath the warmth of portable umbrella heaters, chatting excitedly as wedding attendees always do. Servers passed through the crowd with unlimited trays of expensive champagne and tasty couture hors’devours. They partied like the rich. 

Just like everything else in his and Jeongguk’s life, their wedding scenery was filled with irony. A beautiful beach known for its warm waters and hot sand, was dusted in snow. Jimin had no idea how he had allowed himself to be talked into this but in his heart he knew that it couldn’t be any other way. He dropped his head slightly as a satisfied smile gently spread across his lips. 

“Would you stop moving? I’ll never get your eye shadow right if you keep squirming.”

“Grown men don’t squirm and therefore, I am not squirming. You’re just taking forever,” Jimin snapped back at Hayoon.

His big sister booped his nose with her make up brush. She took a moment to pause and stare through the window with Jimin, “Snow. On the beach. In the middle of December. And you decide to have a wedding. Quintessentially Jimin and Jeongguk.” She laughed.

“It’s beautiful. I don’t know how to explain - but it’s exactly as it should be. This place, this day, this scenery has so much meaning to us. It’s where we realized that we were in love.”

“I know. I was there, remember?” Hayoon resumed working on Jimin’s make-up. 

“So uhh, I have a confession to make.”

“Do I really want to know?”

“You need to know. That day a few years ago when me and Jeongguk came back from our hot air balloon ride. You accused me of taking advantage of my future husband.”

“Poor thing couldn’t even walk.”

“Well I confess. I sooooooooo took advantage of him. Inside of the hot air balloon. It was some of the best sex of my life.” Jimin blushed.

“Yuck.”

“My point is, we were in love way back then. And it’s only deepened since. I’m scared to be this happy. What if something goes wrong?” Jimin looked down again.

Hayoon took a seat next to him, “And what if it doesn’t? What if the Universe has decided that the two of you have dealt with enough bullshit in your lives and it’s time for a little balance?”

“He’s been through way more than I have,” Jimin said sadly.

“Don’t minimize your trauma. And stop making him a victim of his. He’s moved on. You’ve moved on. It took tremendous courage to get to where you two are today. Start living the life of someone who is healthy and healed. Someone who has seen the worst and survived. Whatever happens in the future, you will deal with it together. Simply knowing that you have an extraordinary partner in life is where your happiness should come from,” Hayoon didn’t mince words.

“I love you big sister.”

“I know it. I kick ass. I’m the bomb dot com, best sister ever. Now look up. You need more mascara. Wipe your tears away, this is not that kind of conversation,” she fussed.

Jimin blinked his tears away and dabbed them with a napkin. Luckily she hadn’t finished his eye make up. Otherwise it would have already been ruined. “Thank you,” he said as he stared up at the ceiling. “I wonder what Jeongguk is doing. For the first time, I wish Jihyo was here. I can only imagine how it feels to be all alone on your wedding day.”

“He’s not alone. He has a built-in family. Aran and Kai are at the hotel helping him get dressed. Aran has made it his mission to style his hair.”

“What?” Jimin flinched and jumped to his feet. “You can’t allow a seven year old to style my husband’s hair.”

“Stay still before I poke your eye out. Sit back down. Yes. Aran is on hair duty. Jeongguk gave him permission so there isn’t anything to worry about. Besides, ever since your Maestro cut all of his hair off, it’s been pretty easy to tame. I’m sure Aran can handle it.” Hayoon laughed. “Jeongguk has plenty of friends from his orchestra. There’s even a few students attending from SOPA. He has friends from high school and the Arts Academy who will all be here. Hobi is your best man. Even his therapist will be here. But most of all, he has you.” 

“I guess you’re right. But if your kid fucks up my husband’s hair on his wedding day, I’m writing all of you out of my Will.”

Hayoon shrugged. “There. All done.” She stepped back to look at her handy work. “Time to get dressed. Do you need help with your tux?”

“No. I think I’ve got it.”

“Okay but hurry. You need to be in place in twenty minutes. I’ll be right outside if you need me.”

***

 

Aran rewatched the YouTube video at least twelve times. With each pass, he made a slight adjustment to Jeongguk’s bangs. He was meticulously determined to get it right. Afterall, it was a very special day. He rested his tongue in the corner of his mouth as he evaluated the finished product. It looked exactly like the original, the design that he and Jeongguk had agreed upon.

Kai stood back and examined his brother in law. “Must say…it looks great. Aran, maybe we’ve found your gift - styling hair. What do you think, Jeongguk?” Kai gave the mirror to Jeongguk.

“I can’t believe it. It looks exactly like the picture! Great job Aran. Great job.” Jeongguk locked Jimin’s nephew in a tight hug and squeezed him lovingly.

Hobi walked through the door. He was dashing in his white tuxedo and black tie and boutonniere made of sweetpea. “Looking good Jeonggukie. Wow. Jimin is going to melt when he sees you.”

“I look okay?” Jeongguk asked shyly.

“You look…incredible my friend. Very handsome, Maestro.”

Jeongguk appreciated the compliment. “Oh shoot, look at the time. We better get going. I need to get to the altar before Jimin.”

“Yea, that’s right. Well I’m your chariot. Let’s go.” Jeongguk’s tuxedo was ivory with a black tie, very similar to Hobi’s except he had a little extra flair in his ensemble. 

The entire wedding party was dashing and debonair, like a 1950’s mobster movie with high class and high fashion. Most of it was orchestrated by Jimin. If there was anything he knew very well, it was fashion.  Jeongguk grabbed his thick overcoat and pulled it over his shoulders. Despite the dusting of snow on the ground, it was an unusually warm day. Just toasty enough to keep his guests from freezing during the fifteen minute ceremony. It was another nod from God that their union was meant to be.

 

Jeongguk and Hobi arrived at Hayoon’s house about five minutes later. They pulled into the garage and then ducked around the back to head straight for the beach. The entire ceremony was set up a few meters from Hayoon’s front porch. They didn’t want to take the chance of Jimin and Jeongguk accidently seeing each other before the wedding so they were very careful not to go inside. They weren’t superstitious, just committed to the joy of being surprised. 

Jeongguk walked along one of the many long sheets of satin that had been laid over the ground to keep the guests’ shoes clean and dry. The sun continued to fall, but seemed to glow its brightest as the ceremony grew closer. He popped on his sunglasses to protect his eyes as he wandered towards the beautiful arch that the florist arranged.

As he approached, he saw the back of a familiar head sitting in the front row. There was a child next to him and a very pregnant woman who looked like something out of a magazine. They were a beautiful family. Before he reached them, Jeongguk spoke gently, kindly, “I’m…happy to see you. And a bit surprised to see you.” He smiled with a genuine heart.

“You know that I wouldn’t miss this for the world. Thank you for inviting us,” All 183 centimeters of Mingyu stood to his feet. He embraced Jeongguk immediately and held him tightly. At that moment, Jeongguk was the person he wanted to see more than anyone else because Jeongguk was the only one who truly appreciated his father’s contributions to the world. He held Jeongguk at arm’s length and took a good look at him, “After everything I’ve been through over the last few weeks, there is no place I would rather be…than here celebrating with you.”

“Tae! What’s up little dude?” Jeongguk gave Tae a high five. “And Hana, you look marvelous. You’re glowing. When is the baby due? June right?”

“It’s been a long time, Jeongguk. You and Jimin have been on tour for the entire year. Nice to have you home for a while. And yes…my little girl is due in June,” Hana confirmed. 

“You have a beautiful family, Ming. I’m-I-I’m sorry about your…father.”

Mingyu pierced his quivering lips tightly to keep himself from audibly crying.  Hana placed her arm around him. Ming simply nodded and reclaimed his seat. He knew it was just a matter of time before someone brought it up. He was happy that someone was Jeongguk.

***

Jimin stepped from the bedroom, “Well?” He asked joyfully, “How do I look?”

“Like the most handsome brother that has ever brothered in the history of brotherhood,” Hayoon laughed.

“That good huh?”

“Yep. That good. You look so much like mom.”

“I could look like dad, but we’ll never know since we haven’t seen the bastard in thirty years,” Jimin joked about his wandering father.

“Seriously. You look more radiant than I’ve ever seen you. And it has nothing to do with that expensive fancy suit you’re wearing and everything to do with love. It’s time to start your new life, little brother. I love you.” Hayoon kissed Jimin on the cheek and then took her position on Jimin’s left arm. She had the honor of walking him down the aisle. 

Hobi stormed in. “Let’s GO! Your groom is waiting. It’s showtime.” He hunched over and whispered like he was delivering gossip, “Ming’s here. He looks like a GQ model, I hate him. And his wife is perfect and his son…well his son kinda looks like Si-Hyuk, but there had to be some flaws in that family somewhere,” Hobi rambled. He stopped talking just long enough to get a good look at Jimin. Jimin’s hair was slightly shorter, brownish blond and pulled back on the left side. He had a series of earrings in his ear, all of them shining brighter than the stars. His makeup was subtle yet it perfectly enhanced his features. His teeth glistened, his eyes sparkled, his shoulders were rounded and statuesque. The tailored cream tuxedo that he and Jimin had chosen was fitted like a second skin. He looked more stunning than Hobi had ever seen him. He was the perfect groom. “Fuck, how is that you two are the hottest two men in Korea yet somehow you’re marrying each other? Life is so fucked up for the rest of us,” Hobi joked. He was in a good mood just like the rest of the guests who had been invited to witness the special occasion. 

“Do you have the rings?” Jimin asked. His stomach was swirling with nerves.

“I’ve got them. Let’s go. If I don’t get you to the aisle before the music starts, Jeongguk will kick my ass. I’ve seen him fight…I wouldn’t survive,” Hobi shook his head.

 

They walked through Hayoon’s house and stepped outside. The sun continued to settle as the crisp afternoon crept upon them and Jimin could feel its warmth as soon as the rays hit his face. He and Hayoon walked gingerly across the satin covered sand until they reached the long ivory rug made of velvet. They made their way several meters until the block of guests came into view. All of them were all standing, bundled in their tailored overcoats and wool scarves. Ivory and cream were the official colors for the day and all of the guests were adorned in a variety of the pale shades. The ladies had ivory, faux- fur hand covers provided by the two grooms. The men were given dark cream colored leather gloves. At each row stood large heaters, keeping the guests warm as they endured the cold on behalf of the two men they came to celebrate. But the chilly temperatures were barely felt amidst the overflowing wealth of warmth and love.

As Jimin stepped foot on the rose covered aisle, he looked out into the sparkling indigo sea as the sun continued its downward trajectory. He stood there in silence, waiting for the music to begin. It dawned on him that he and Jeongguk hadn’t exactly practiced how the music would begin. He looked around for his future husband, but didn’t see him. For a few uncomfortable seconds, he panicked, not knowing what to do next. He considered pulling Hayoon down the aisle anyway and just singing a loud verse of Baepsae for them to stroll to. He didn’t. 

 And just before the moment grew awkward - he heard it. The sound that rolled over his flesh, crept into his body and vibrated like an erratic heartbeat. His ears filled with the rich tone as it projected over the crashing waves. Jimin looked around until he found him. His future husband was seated directly under the alter with a pristine white cello between his legs, resting over his shoulder. 

Jimin couldn’t breathe. He couldn’t move. He couldn’t do anything but allow the music to wash over him like a warm wave. He didn’t dare close his eyes because that would have inhibited the beautiful image of his husband wearing all white, making love to his beloved cello just as he made love to him. The song he played was called Spring Day. A song about the beautiful bloom of spring, in the dead of winter. Another beautiful irony that framed their love. Jimin felt faint. He had never been so overcome with emotion in all of his years. If it hadn’t been for Hayoon holding him up, he surely would have fallen to his knees and bowed before his Maestro. It all washed over him in an instant. His groom was serenading him as he walked down the aisle.

Hayoon could feel it coming. She gave him a stern warning with a loud whisper, “Don’t you dare cry. You’ll fuck up your eyeliner. It took an hour to get it right. Don’t you dare,” she warned to her younger brother who was barely holding it together. 

Jimin couldn’t manage a single step. He stood there as every eye on the beach urged him forward with empathy. They could feel exactly what he felt because Jeongguk’s music was just that powerful. He moved them all. Jimin only held his tears under threat from his sister who had already started to cry as well. Jeongguk went on to play another song called Serendipity. With lyrics that begged him to let him love him. 

The song lasted another minute or so as Jimin continued to stand there staring at his incredible husband. But that was all that Jimin could take. Before the movement of Jeongguk’s bow subsided, Jimin was on his way. Not crying was not an option. He burst into tears and released Hayoon’s arm and suddenly bolted down the aisle towards his Maestro screaming, “I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO, I TAKE YOU AS MY WEDDED HUSBAND!” He tackled Jeongguk, knocking him from his chair, leaving the white cello buried in the snowy sand. 

Hayoon was caught by surprise, suddenly left standing alone in the aisle. It didn’t matter. Since her escort had bailed, she decided to make the best of it. Confidently, she strutted down the aisle alone, jiggling to a song in her head. She pointed finger guns at the guests as she made her way to her seat. She sat next to Aran whose eyes were stretched big as he watched Jimin and Jeongguk roll across the sand in their expensive white tuxedos, kissing and hugging each other. 

“Mom,” Aran whispered, “aren’t they supposed to say speeches and stuff?” His question was quite apropos.

“Nah, I think they’re just going on vibes at this point sweetheart,” she laughed at her silly, over-the-top in love brother.

Jeongguk’s giggles drifted out to sea as Hobi snapped to attention. He was unsure exactly when the ring situation was supposed to happen since the entire ceremony had gone off the rails. Kai, who was a County Clerk for the city of Busan, was officiating the wedding. He didn’t bother to try to call the ceremony to order. He simply yelled, “Jimin do you…?”

“I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO, I DO.” With each “I DO,” Jimin delivered another lipstick stained kiss to Jeongguk’s face.

Kai continued, “And uh…Jeongguk do you…?”

“YES, exactly what he said,” Jeongguk laughed as Jimin continued to kiss him all over his face and smother him in platitudes of love.

Never had an audience been so jovial as the one who witnessed their complete collapse of wedding decorum. Yelps and whistles came from random guests in the crowd. Several news outlets who were there to cover the ceremony, snapped countless photos of the two newlyweds drowning in their own love.

“What do I do with the rings?” Hobi stood there confused, not sure if he should drop to the sand and roll around with them until he got the rings on their fingers or if he should stand there patiently until they worked it out. Feeling the stress of ring responsibility, he yelled again, louder this time, “WHAT DO I DO WITH THE RINGS?” There was still no answer as the two continued to kiss like teenagers on the snow covered sand. Hobi yelled one last and final time, “DO YOU WANT THEM OR NOT? I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU DON’T TELL ME WHAT TO DO WITH THESE, I’M GOING TO GIVE THEM TO MY BOOGER EATING FIRST GRADER TO WEAR ON HIS NOSE PICKING FINGER!” Hobi was a bit frustrated in front of the large crowd of guests.

It was only then that Jimin released Jeongguk and helped him to his feet. They were both slightly disheveled. They had spent the day dressing in their expensive tuxedos only to end up covered in sandy snow.

Kai quickly continued the ceremony, “Exchange rings please.”

Jeongguk was still laughing as he placed Jimin’s ring on his finger. Jimin looked at Jeongguk as if he wanted to eat him for dinner as he placed his ring on Jeongguk’s finger.

“I now pronounce you husbands,” Kai said quickly. He had no idea how much kissing they had planned. The wedding was out of order so he improvised, “…I’m not sure what’s left to do here. More kissing I guess? You may kiss the groom. I guess…?”

Jeongguk placed a perfectly controlled kiss on Jimin’s lips. It was followed by a firm but gentle, “I love you.”

Before they pulled away the guests burst into applause. Time was of the essence. The guest lit sparklers and formed a path for them to run towards the waiting hot air balloon.  

The operator opened the door to the basket with a hearty, “Congratulations you two. Hurry. You only have another hour before the sun sets. Your course is already plotted and you’ll come down at the Busan Yeongmu Parade Hotel. You’ve got the entire hotel to yourselves, so please enjoy. The operator there will help you get settled to begin your honeymoon.” He slammed the door shut and gave each of them sparklers to wave at the guests below as they lifted off. 

 

They had the rest of the night. They had the rest of the month. They had the rest of their lives…but Jimin couldn’t wait. Before they even reached their cruising altitude, Jimin had Jeongguk pressed against the welt of the basket. He stood behind him with his cock out, fiddling with the buckle of Jeongguk’s tuxedo pants. He leaned him over the side of the basket, ripping his shirt away and tangling Jeongguk’s arms within his expensive tuxedo jacket. 

Getting his pants down took forever. But after a few seconds, he found the amethyst anal plug that Jeongguk reserved for special occasions. He ripped it free, allowing it to fall to the bottom of the basket. Jimin had neither the time nor interest in being delicate. His fingers plunged into his husband’s warmth. The tickling of his small fingers caused Jeongguk to growl through clenched teeth as he leaned further over the basket, pulling Jimin close behind him. Jimin’s hard dick throbbed in his hand as he slid it up and down and around the younger’s slit. For the very first time as husbands, he entered him. His breaths were long and deep like sighs as he watched the city of Busan disappear beneath them. Jeongguk no longer had long flowing hair for him to grab, so of course, he gripped his neck. 

The first time making love as Maestro and husband should have been within luxurious pristine white sheets, in an expensive bed surrounded by chocolates and flutes of champagne. But instead it was raw, gritty, loud and uncouth. They hovered over each other like animals, partially clothed in a tattered old basket beneath a multi-colored hot air balloon. Their clothes hung off of each other like rags as Jimin pushed his entire cock, balls deep into his new husband. Jeongguk’s overly lubed hole dripped over Jimin’s balls and slid down his leg as the elder pumped him with large winding circles. 

“Make me cum, make me cum, make me fucking cum,” he whispered into Jeongguk’s ear.

Jimin climaxing thirteen strokes in was a surprise to no one. Hot air balloons were his thing. He continued to pump until he released, screaming so loudly that he disturbed a flock of birds flying nearby. 

“Inside, inside, inside, inside,” Jeongguk demanded. He longed to feel the hot shot of Jimin’s cum inside of him. 

Jimin buried his dick as deep as possible, and there he convulsed until every drip of fluid was drained from him. He kissed the back of his husband’s neck, taking small bites of his skin as his lips traveled up and down the beautiful span of it.

“Did you…?”

“No. Tonight is another marathon, not a sprint,” Jeongguk advised. “Recharge, because I’m going to 

ride you all night until your dick falls off. I love you, Jimin.”

“And I love you, Maestro.”

***

 

The Future: A quick look ahead

 

Jimin continued to serve as Jeongguk’s tour manager. They traveled together visiting every country as Jimin helped him re-establish himself as the premier concert cellist in the world. When he and Jeongguk weren’t touring, he worked in his own studio, selling his paintings and sketches. After years and years of practice, he finally was able to sketch Jeongguk’s eyes perfectly. The two maintained their wealth, careful to never make the same mistakes that Nara and the elder Jeons had made with their fortune. Despite their lavish mansion, they lived an otherwise simple life, with love, family, friends and health as their wealth.

Jeongguk continued to perform to sold out venues all across the globe. He and Jimin took an extended trip to Japan, performing at all of the venues that he and Jihyo had played during their tour. He even found the courage to go back to the scene of the crime where she had been murdered. Jimin stood by his side, holding his hand as Jeongguk placed flowers at the spot where her blood once puddled beneath him. Eventually, he decided to slow down. He transitioned into a job as an Orchestra teacher at SOPA, working with cello students and other soloists who needed private lessons. He never sold Jihyo’s cello.  

Hobi continued to teach, until he retired fifteen years later. He married at the age of 37 and had three children. He, Jimin and Jeongguk remained close friends.

After the death of Si-Hyuk, Ming closed Second Chances for good. He and his wife Hana had a healthy baby girl in June of 2041. He lived a quiet family life with wealth beyond his dreams. But at the age of 20, after graduating as one of the youngest people to ever earn a PhD, his son Tae reopened a fully reconstructed version of Second Chances. He continued work on his grandfather’s dream of creating robots who could procreate. Ming refused to join him but supported his desire to build his own version of his grandfather’s company. One thing was certain, he was a much better man than Si-Hyuk and he sent the company into a completely different direction, focused on people who wanted to conceive but couldn’t. Tae’s version tripled the size of the legacy that his grandfather left behind. Ming never forgave himself for the last words that he said to his father before he died. But rather than trying to go back and relive the past through Second Chances, he chose to just…heal from it.

In 2045, Hayoon gave birth by surrogate to Jimin and Jeongguk’s child. She gave them a healthy baby girl named - Nara.

t     h     e        e       n       d

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⭐️Author's Ending Note: Thank you, thank you, thank you for being here and giving this fic a chance. I hope you took note of the different styles of writing I tried to incorporate in an effort to elevate this story and do it justice. It was so big in my head, but seemed so small when I finally got it on paper.

This story truly kept me sane. Most of it was written from the hospital floor as I sat alone, next to my dad worried if he was going to survive. Mfentally and physicall it was the worst time for both of us. But in some ways, this story kept me positive, kept me going, kept me motivated and I, in turn, was able to transfer that energy to him. 

I mulled over every single sentence, rearranging and reformatting them hundreds of times until they felt - right. Because of my learning disability, I typically have to read each of my scenes seven or eight times to catch all of the flaws and mistakes. But each of these scenes were ready about 20 times each, easily. Why? Because I felt very alone, and this story seemed like my only friend. I couldn't work because I had to stay by my dad's side. So I had time to dissect each piece and make it better and better - a luxury that I don't usually have. My only prayer is that it all transfered to you and you could feel the difference and the lift and the dilligence. I only want to give you my best.

Lastly, thank you again for being here. You are my heroes and you keep me grounded and at peace. You are my Second Chance. I love youuuuuuuu, now say it back.

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