ChenSung| Heaven's Eternal Blossom

Chapter 5: The Past is Catching up

Starting the car after the president's convoy had left the airport, Agent Jeong went on his way to the office. What had transpired earlier has kept him in high spirits; particularly knowing that the deal is successful. At last peace is slowly on the way and this country will finally be building its way up from the ruins of the past.

"Agent Jeong," a man in his early fifties greeted the younger at the parking lot. Seeing the jeep that the fellow had hopped off of he already knew why he's still here at this hour. "Going home?" He smiles.

Bowing first Jeong then answers, "Yes sir."

"Well, see you next week," with a pat on the man's back, the older left.

Now on his own, Jeong went inside the building and changed out of his clothes in the locker room. Facing the mirror on the wall he took off his wig and contacts, slipping into a white shirt and faded black suit. He left the headquarters with a briefcase firm on his hand and glasses perched atop his nose looking like a common office employee. Walking to the closest tram station which is a good thirty minute distance, he halted by a small store among the row of stalls that sold basic commodities to the nearby all American accommodation. He doesn't come by here all the time but tomorrow is his day off and he's in the mood for a drink. Entering through the shabby entrance whilst ducking down to avoid the flaps of the low awning canopy, passing by towering canned goods on either side, he approached the counter to buy two bottles of local rice wine and a pack of cigarettes. Listening in for almost a minute on chitchats droned with the occasional static from the music on the radio he then gave the elderly owner a small bow and a smile before exiting.

"Oh, Jaehyun."

"Noona!" Surprised to see his sister at the tram stop the moment he stepped out of the vehicle, Jeong was greeted with her snickers and a response to his unspoken question. With a nod he watched her march all the way to the farthest shop across the street which had several magazines on display.

Shaking his head at the woman's obsession on recent fashion trends he went ahead to the nearby wooden gate and unbolted the doors. Stepping into the small front yard, he can already smell the food from here. "Taeyong hyung," he grinned while removing his hat. Lowering his legs to sit on the wooden floor and take his shoes off, he peeped at the man sitting at the table in their receiving area. This house is an old hanok and quite expensive to maintain on their own so his sister and him had decided to rent the few available rooms. "You're the only one here, where are the others?" He asked standing back up again with his shoes in his hand.

"They've already eaten. I thought it would be nice to eat here, hope you don't mind," the man smiled shyly.

"No, no, not at all. Let me join you in a minute," he piped before hurriedly opening the door leading to the adjacent kitchen to wash his hands after placing his footwear on a shelf. When he came back he already had two bowls in one hand while the other held the bottles of rice wine. Setting them down he disappeared once again to get his food.

"Tomorrow's a day off, I see," the older spoke lightly with a slight raise of his brows whilst observing the taller as he drew closer. "Jaehyun..." He didn't know when his mouth had opened again but it was too late to take it back.

"Hm?" Sitting down on the cushion next to the man, Jeong tilts his head to look at the fellow who seemed to be indecisive on what he was about to say.

"Nevermind, I'm going to save it for later when the alcohol kicks in," he mumbles going back to his food.

The two exchanged several comments about their jobs with Jeong pretending to be working at a moderately paying accounting firm. Nevertheless they can relate with each other enough to enjoy the company. By the time they had emptied a bottle, the younger observed the little swing in the beta's movements. He tried to hide the grin that slipped through his lips when the guy abruptly faced him with squinting eyes and a pout.