smoke and mirrors

16

News traveled ridiculously fast. Everyone now knows that she faked her pregnancy. Joey was immediately stoned to death by Everyone's opinions.

She lost everything betting on a relationship that she knew wouldn't last. Why you might ask? It is because she wanted to be valued.

She was sitting outside of her former residence. Maybe lying wasn't the greatest idea, however, she was desperate. But where did being desperate get her? Well now she is outside with all of her bags and money in hand but that isn't the treasure she desires.

Joey was pirating for the thrill of life, power, and love. She knew Johnny didn't love her but there was a force of attraction there.

She looks over her shoulder when she hears footsteps heading down the stairs. Not exactly the person she wanted to see.

Jaehyun had a look of guilt on his face. He slowly sat down next to her. "Joey I'm so sorry that this happened to you."

She scoffs. Why is he apologizing? Joey was the nuisance who destroyed his relationship. "Why are you sorry? I did everything for you. Plus I knew Johnny was married."

Jaehyun bites the bottom of his lip. He hated that he didn't want to see Joey as horrible. He wanted to have that mean bone in his body but he doesn't.

Jaehyun was going to ask a question but a gush of wind knocked the words right out of his mouth.

Shivering he takes his jacket off and places it over her shoulders. "What was your call to action?"

"Excuse me?" Joey squinted her eyes in confusion. "What are you asking?"

"Why did you sleep with a married man? Why go through with it?" Jaehyun questions while looking at Joey right in the eyes.
"Do you even know why?"

"I do. But you wouldn't understand." Joey scratches the back of her head. Her eyes slowly drift to Jaehyun's eyes. "There are things that a man just wouldn't understand."

"I can understand a lot more than you think," Jaehyun says. He frowns. "I understand this is a competitive world we live in. You must work for everything by the standards of someone else's perspective. I know..."

"But do you know how I know? I bet you didn't know that I trained Johnny, yet he is the one with the promotion! I worked my ass off day and night just to make a couple of thousands less than every man on the job! I show up before everyone and yet leave after everyone!"

Jaehyun's mouth falls open. Wow, he probably was blind to this.
Joey slams her hand down on the ground, "I should be the one on top. But if you can't beat the system I must enter the system. So I was going to marry the system." Her eyes saddened, "I never meant to cause a drift in your relationship. All I wanted was an equal chance."

Jaehyun nods his head. "I know you probably think that I can't relate because I am a man. However, I feel like I have to show up too." Jaehyun looks out into the distance. "Everyone says that I'm not a man if I dress a certain way, speak a certain way, or even look a certain way."

"But have you ever been stalked? Have you ever had 911 on speed dial just in case this person didn't leave alone?" Joey questions with a horrified expression. "Most men can't say that has happened."

Jaehyun chuckles. "Actually when I was in America for my college trip someone did follow me. I had told them that I wasn't going to give them my number so they trailed back to the hotel."

"Then what happened?"

"He knocked on the door and jungkook answered it. By that time I had told Kookie everything so he was furious. We didn't let him in as he told us to so he started saying how he hoped I get lost so that he could find me and..."

Jaehyun just stopped speaking. He took in a deep breath. "The point is I can relate. Many of us can relate."

Joey's lips curve upward. Somehow her enemy made her feel better. Honestly, she wishes that she would have gotten to know Jaehyun before everything.

A car pulled up. She stands. "Thanks for making me feel better. You are awesome." She opens her arm up for a hug.

Jaehyun smiles. He stands up and embraces the woman. "Be careful ok." When they let go of each other jaehyun walked her to the car. He made sure she got in the cat safely. He stood there until the car pulled out of the parking lot.

Johnny who stood on the balcony watched the scene. He sneers at the woman's tears. Don't get him wrong, he feels for her, but when he thinks about how she manipulates him his heart aches. He has never been the one to hate someone but right now he is close to hating that woman.

Johnny walks away from the window. He goes into his master bathroom to start a nice warm bath. The American couldn't stop thinking about the way that woman played him, most importantly it burned him up that she was trying to do the same thing to jaehyun. It's so sickening.

Johnny layers the water with rose petals. He sprinkles lavender into the water for that lavish experience.

Johnny isn't very romantic when there isn't an agenda. So what is the agenda? He needs Jaehyun to put his parents away. He doesn't want the situation that happened to Yuta to happen to him.

"Johnny?" Jaehyun walks into the bathroom. "I'm so sorry for what happened over a year ago. I didn't mean to hurt you, I was just hurt."

Johnny smiles, "Honey I know." Johnny moves some hair from Jaehyun's face, "I should be the one to apologize. I was very confused. Even now I'm still confused on some things."

Jaehyun just shrugs his shoulders. "Honestly I can't blame you. If I did I would be a fool."

Johnny's heart did backflips in his chest. He couldn't help but lean in.

Once again jaehyun put his hand in the way smacking his lips. "Everything is so different now. I still need more time."

Johnny felt nauseated. This denial is testing the self-control he lacks. "Fine. But at least let me spoil you. I ran a hot bath for you."

"Are you trying to say I stink?" Jaehyun questions with an offended look. That look follows a pout.

Johnny's eyes broadened, and he was quick to wave his hands in disagreement. "No... I was just trying to make the atmosphere more relaxed. You have been through a lot after all.."

Jaehyun squinted his eyes. "Mhmm" the younger smiles knowing good and well that Johnny was buttering him up. "Ok. I will enjoy my warm bath without you."

Johnny's mouth fell agape once again. "But I..." he couldn't even protest because his phone started to ring.

He didn't even have to look at the caller ID to know the dweeb calling him at this time of night. "Mark, what is it?"

Mark clears his throat. "How did you know it was me?"

"You are the only bitch that calls someone when it is dark outside."

"Jokes in you it is light outside so I am not a b..."

"Mark, what do you want?" Johnny questions cutting Mark off. "You have five seconds before I hang up the damn phone."

"Johnny you need to convince Jaehyun to put his parents away for good. You are the only person that can persuade him."

Johnny folded his left arm over his chest. He glanced looking into the bathroom where jaehyun was happily playing with the bubbles in the tub. With a whisper, he said, "How am I supposed to do that? He even said he doesn't see me the same anymore. I don't know if we even have a chance at getting back together."

"Jo..."

"I'm sorry Mark but I'm staying out of it this time." With that, he hung the phone up.