hostage || jaeyong

fifteen

Jaehyun was quite something as he paced his office all business like while talking on his cell phone.

He had been like that all morning, and Taeyong was beginning to grow bored.

Not even on their way to Jaehyun's office there had been any words exchanged between them.

It looked as if Jaehyun was a bit preoccupied with something, and Taeyong was starting to question whether it had all been a dream and he had not really seen how the ice man in front of him truly looked in the throes of desire just the night before.

He rose from the chair, determined to move around a bit.

It didn't seem as if Jaehyun was paying any attention to him anyway, as he walked away and started wandering the hallways.

It seemed as everyone was busy, so Taeyong decided to start conducting some exploring on his own.

As he pushed through a door and turned on the light, he found himself in front of a city in miniature displayed on a large table with buildings, car parking slots, parks, and everything.

Fascinated, he got closer.

A few flags with names on them let him know that that was basically looking at a new and much-improved version of his own town.

Maybe that was why Jaehyun was so preoccupied. He really had his work cut out for him, if he wanted to turn the entire place around.

Hesitantly, he grabbed one tall building. It was not its place next to the park.

Frowning, he started studying the panoramic view.

Eventually, he saw where the building was going to look better. Satisfied, he placed it there.

The park needed more trees, he decided next.

It felt better than any game he had ever played. His brother had often told him he could be a good construction worker.

There was no DIY project inside their small apartment he was not taking on with enthusiasm. His natural inclination had found little fertile ground to manifest though.

Taking a step back, he looked with satisfaction at his handy work.

The miniature town no longer looked straight-laced and conformist.

The contrast of various shapes, the messy greenery he chose to spread around, created the illusion that the small cardboard toy town was bustling with life.

"Oh, no, what have you done?!"

He heard a feminine voice almost shrieking.

He turned to see Jiho, her cheeks ablaze, clutching a leather case in her hands, with an expression of disbelief and indignation painted all over her face.

"How am I going to repair this?" the woman continued as she frantically moved towards the table, taking in the proportions of the disaster.

Taeyong opened his mouth to apologize, but he realized he had no idea what to say.

Why was she so upset, anyway?

"I'm sorry," he murmured, seeing her so disturbed over his little play.

"Sorry? Really—" she almost yelled at him.

It was clear that she could barely maintain a resemblance of control.

Taeyong could bet she was one breath away from digging her long perfectly manicured nails into his throat.

"What is going on?"

Taeyong heard Jaehyun, who apparently was now joining the party.

"This happened, Sir," Jiho made a theatrical gesture towards the table. "I had no idea he was going to wander around the place and—"

She started her tirade, but a small gesture from Jaehyun made her stop.

"Jiho, please hurry back to the front desk. The investors should be here any minute now."

She opened her mouth to add something, but Jaehyun had already moved to watch the display on the table with a deep frown on his forehead.

Most probably she knew better as she walked quickly out of the room.

Taeyong could cut the tension in the room with a knife.

"I'm sorry, I just thought it was a—I don't know, something that didn't matter," he spoke slowly as if he was afraid Jaehyun was going to explode just like Jiho had done earlier.

Jaehyun emitted a small grunt in response.

His fingers moved over the table, caressed a few toy buildings in passing, but didn't move anything.

"Could—could you put it back as it was?" Taeyong asked, feeling more and more out of place.

"I suppose I could, but the people interested in seeing the project will be here soon," Jaehyun spoke, while straightening up and looking Taeyong in the eyes.

"Damn." Taeyong cast his eyes down. "I screwed up big time, didn't I?"

"That is something we will see. Now, because you almost made Jiho have a heart attack, you will be my assistant throughout the meeting."

"Me? But—"

Taeyong gestured towards his t-shirt and jeans.

"Yes, but." Jaehyun let a ghostly smile hover over his lips for a brief second. "There are no actions without consequences, and sometimes you have to play the hand you are dealt. You do not agree?"

Taeyong didn't have the chance to say anything as the door opened and Jiho's voice was heard, inviting the guests in.

Too nervous to look at the newcomers, he stubbornly kept his eyes down.