Mystic Radio Ep. 22: Let's Talk, Please?
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Jaehee's POV
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It's been about a week since the pool party. Jumin hasn't been responding to anyone from the messenger lately, other than Yoosung of course. But even Yoosung hasn't been able to talk to him about things outside of work.
Zen dropped in to say hi before we closed, and is now propped up against the counter chatting with MC as she mindlessly spins around on her chair behind the counter.
"I thought you had practice late today!" she exclaims.
He shakes his head, "I pulled some strings, I wanted to check in on you." I shoot Zen an alarmed glance and he quickly adds, "You know, with your, uh, your whole leg thing." He shoots me a not-so-subtle wink and I roll my eyes with a groan.
"I'm fine, you guys, seriously." MC smiles, but I can tell it's forced, "Don't worry about it." MC's phone starts to buzz, and she excuses, "It's my mom, I should get that."
"And I," Zen starts, "should probably go now. If I stay any longer, I'm going to end up buying some of your pastries and those aren't good for my model-like physique." He chuckles at this, flashing his overly-bright smile.
He heads out and I follow behind him to flip our sign to, 'Sorry! We're closed!' I start wiping down the counter when MC's voice gets a bit alarmed.
"What do you mean you want to come visit? So soon?" she asks with worry in her tone, "Don't you think I should have gotten a little bit more of a warning? I have to worry about my roommate too and-"
Roommate? Does she not want to tell her mother about me? About us?
"Yes. I know I haven't seen you in like a year. It's been busy and- no, I wasn't forced to join the coffee business." Annoyance seeps through her tone as she continues, "Besides it's not like I had anything planned. Just," she covers the mic and lets out a groan, "Tell me when you want to visit, okay?"
I rub her shoulders in reassurance. MC leans back into the touch, taking a deep breath.
"Okay, Mom, I love you too... Bye." MC hangs up the call and groans, "Jaehee, I can explain-"
I cut her off, "No need to explain. If you haven't told your mom about us yet, we can just surprise her with that when she gets here!" I smile, kissing the crown of her head. "Nothing we can't handle. Now, when is she coming?"
She doesn't reply instantly, instead, biting her tongue with a nervous look on her face.
Slightly concerned, I ask, "MC?"
"I never... Exactly..." She takes a deep breath to steady herself, "Told my Mom I was gay..."
"Oh," I pause, "That's, yeah that's okay too! I just thought that you had."
She spins around to face me, "She keeps trying to set me up with these guys and she wants me to get married and have a family and I just... I can't say no to her. And never for even a second did I mean to try to hide you," she tells me.
It sure feels like I'm being hidden. It's one thing if it never came up, it's another to directly lie and call me a roommate. I feel my brows knit together as I try and figure out the best way to respond to this.
We haven't been dating that long, and if MC isn't ready to come out to her mother, I shouldn't push her, I think to myself. I'll just have to do my best to be supportive.
"I wish you had told me beforehand," I say, "but if you aren't ready, that's okay too. When does she want to come visit?"
"In about a month."
Thank goodness. That gives me plenty of time to prepare. "Okay. Why don't you go figure out something for dinner and I'll finish cleaning down here." I could use some time to think this over anyways. She nods in agreement and sets to go upstairs. I offer to help her up the stairs, but every time I'm met with the same decline.
I start wiping down tables as thoughts swarm through my head. I find myself wondering what kind of woman MC's mother is, how to impress her, but most of all if her mother will accept us. On one hand, I know what it's like to be rejected by family, but on the other hand, I don't want to hide and lie any more than we have to. I want to be able to give her the same type of relationship as a man could.
The squeak of the window brings me out of my thoughts, realizing that I've been scrubbing the same spot for several minutes. The window is so clean I can clearly see my reflection in the glass, almost shocked at how much has changed in a little under a year. The most noticeable change, being how my hair has grown past my shoulders, among smaller changes that I haven't noticed. I look happier, lighter even. The stress lines that used to adorn my face have since receded, and my eyes don't have dark spots under them like a panda anymore.
I never thought so little time could change so much.
My phone buzzes on the counter, grabbing my attention. I make my way over to the counter and upon seeing it's Yoosung, quizically answer it. I hold it between my shoulder and ear so I can continue to clean.
"Hello, Yoosung, did something happen?" I ask while I start wiping down another table.
His voice comes over the phone softly, sounding tired and a bit run down, "No, nothing happened." He takes a deep breath before continuing with a more professional tone, "I'm calling on behalf of Jumin Han, he would like to request a meeting."
I set down my rag and readjust the phone so I can hear better. "A meeting? Why didn't he just call himself?"
Yoosung answers in an uptight tone that I can only assume is an attempt to mimic Jumin. "Jumin- er, Mr. Han, has much more important matters to attend to rather than personally schedule meetings. That's why he hired me as an assistant." I hear a sigh over the phone, before he continues in a low tone, "Between you and me, I think he's too embarrassed. Or maybe he's just too prideful. Either way, I may not know him as well as you, but even I can tell that the, uh, pool incident, has been killing him all week. He hasn't even talked about any cat business ideas."
I run a hand through my hair. It's not like Jumin to let emotions interfere with work, especially his ridiculous furry demon business plans.
"Alright," I finally speak, "I'll tell MC and-"
"No no," Yoosung interrupts, "Mr. Han would like to speak to you personally, in private."
I cock my head at the notion. "And why is that?" a bit of irritation seeping into my voice.
If he has any intention of trying to get me to come back to the company or to 'bring me to my senses,' he'll be sorely disappointed.
"I don't know, I was just told to get you to come to the office this Thursday."
"Yoosung, that's tomorrow."
"Is it?" I hear a faint shuffle of paper, followed by another sigh, "So it is. You know how last-minute Mr. Han can be." Yoosung gives a slight chuckle, but I can tell the company is really wearing on him.
"Alright, fine. What time?" I ask.
"Any time after you close. Mr. Han wanted to make sure you knew he respected your time."
I nod, quickly realizing Yoosung can't see me, "Okay, I'll be there."
"Thank you for your time, now I must be going-"
Before Yoosung can hang up, I interject, "Wait, Yoosung."
"Hmm?"
"I know what it's like working in that hellish office," concern getting the best of me, "How are you holding up? Is the workload getting to you?"
"Huh? Oh!" Yoosung laughs, "It's hard sometimes, I won't lie, but since you left Jumin has hired some extra pairs of hands so it's not as bad. We've had a long past few days, lots of overtime. I can't say much but basically, we've been working on a really big deal so it's been all hands on deck."
"He hired more people?"
"Yeah. After he realized he basically drove you away because it was either that or you fainting from overworking, he started implementing some changes. Nothing huge, but little things add up." I hear someone else in the background, then a muffled reply as he answers them. "I really do have to go now, Jaehee. Goodbye."
The call ends with a click and I find myself somewhat in disbelief. Jumin understanding that humans aren't robots and need rest? Sounds like something that would only happen in an alternative universe or in a fictional book. Something.
I give myself a moment to let the situation sink in before finishing up my tasks, hoping all the upcoming events end well.
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MC's POV
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Dinner finished a while ago, and Jaehee still hasn't come up. Whenever I call down the stairs for her, she keeps replying that she's 'almost done.' Granted, it didn't take long to make dinner, it's just reused leftovers I mixed together. The food has started to get cold by the time I hear Jaehee's footsteps coming up the stairs.
She wordlessly sits down and begins picking at her plate, not showing much interest in the meal.
"Did... Something happen?" I ask, confused with the sudden tension in the air.
She puts down her fork with a sigh, "Just, a lot on my mind I suppose."
Is this because my mother is visiting? Knowing Jaehee, she's probably stressed out about the whole ordeal, but it feels like something else is going on. Jaehee isn't the best at communicating, she tends to lose herself in whatever troubles she has and forgets to lean on those around her. It can be good to be assertive and take charge of problems in a work setting, but sometimes Jaehee forgets not everything is work. I'm not the best at communication either, but I want to try, and I can tell Jaehee has been trying too.
"Jaehee," I softly coax, "tell me, please? I'm worried. If you don't want to that's okay, I won't push you, but I'd like to help if I can," I offer.
Jaehee pauses a moment, furrowing her brow in thought, "I don't think you can help. It's something I have to do by myself." She starts to take another bite of food before adding, "Jumin wants to see me tomorrow."
I blink as I take in the new information, Jaehee continuing to eat her room-temperature leftovers.
Soon realizing that I'm not sure how to respond, she elaborates, "Jumin wanted to meet me alone, I'm not sure why. Yoosung said he thought Jumin was embarrassed, that he couldn't stand to see you perhaps."
Why does Jumin want to see her? Why privately? Embarrassed my ass, Jumin is too uptight and proud of himself for that. If I had accused him of being embarrassed before, I imagine he'd say something along the lines of 'I don't have the time to afford such things that the poor find so easily.' Otherwise known as 'Embarrassment is for those who aren't self-assured enough.'
I ask, "Is there anything I can do? You don't think he's mad," my muscles tensing up, "do you?"
"I-" she hesitates, "I'm unsure. All that I can be sure of is that Jumin wouldn't call me in if it weren't something important."
"Alright." I relax a little, continuing to pick at my food. In a joking tone, I state, "If he hurts you I'll come after the 'damn trust fund kid' myself."
Jaehee tries to suppress it but the slightest chuckle escapes and a smile forms on her lips. That wonderful, wonderful smile makes me feel like I could take on the world. I'm glad that she's able to confide in me more freely now instead of being so self-kept with her feelings. Moments after, my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it from my pocket and read the text.
'From Mom: I was able to get the vacation days sooner than expected! I'll see you in two weeks, I have a surprise for you!'
Correction, I could almost take on the world.
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Jaehee's POV, The next day.
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I put my apron up, an hour before closing. "Are you sure you can take care of it?" I ask.
Luciel pops up from behind the counter, "Yes m'lady, your coffee shop AU setting will be safe in my hands!" He poses heroically, flexing his arm despite there being almost no change.
Raising an eyebrow, "I wasn't talking to you, Luciel, I was talking to MC, and the 'it' I was referring to was you."
Luciel dramatically grabs his chest and acts like he's been stabbed, wailing like a child as MC replies, "Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on him. This way you can go see Jumin early, and still have dinner with us later! I'll make sure the house doesn't get burned down." Just then, a loud crash comes from the kitchen. "... Probably won't get burned down," MC corrects.
She holds up a finger, indicating for me to wait, before disappearing to the back. The moment the doors close, I hear muffled yelling through the walls, startling myself and some of the patrons.
"I think that's my cue to leave," I say, despite no one listening.
I hitch a ride on the bus, watching the scenery go by as it morphs into the all too familiar route towards C&R. How long has it been since I've been here? Feels like forever ago, yet my feet carry me as if nothing has changed. Walking into the lobby, I'm met with the familiar face of the receptionist.
"Ah, Miss Kang, it's been a while since I've seen you," they smile. "Mister Han told me if you showed up to send you directly to his office. I'm assuming you still remember how to get there?"
"Of course," I nod, "how could I forget?" After all, I slaved away for years here.
I work my way down the corridor, the familiarity of the walls making me uneasy. I hadn't realized how much I disliked working here until I had to come back. The halls that I would tread down, delivering papers back and forth, getting spreadsheets ready to show Mr. Han exactly why we couldn't start a cat wine business, it's all hauntingly vivid. But I'm not here to work anymore, I'm here to meet Jumin is all. Now, instead of drinking coffee to keep me awake, I get to drink it to enjoy the flavor. Instead of coming home to a cold, empty apartment on the days I'd get off, I get to go out knowing that the warmth of the household MC and I have created will be waiting for me.
This strengthens my resolve and helps me push down the uneasiness of being here. I march right up to Jumins office door and take a deep breath. My hand hovers prepared to knock for a moment, before finally, I pull the trigger.
"Come in, Jaehee," I hear from the other side.
I open the door to Jumins office, still as luxurious as I recall. Well lit with several plants to liven up the room, and a few... Less tasteful paintings of Elizabeth. I take a seat in the chair across his desk, noting the chaos on its mahogany surface. Jumin looks tired, something I haven't seen in his eyes before. His slightly disheveled hair falls down as props his head up with his hand.
I wait for him to speak, but instead, we sit in silence. I swallow, preparing to say something when he finally moves.
Brushing his hair back, he sits upright before saying, "I made a mistake."
Wow. I never thought I'd hear him say that.
"I just-" he takes a shaky breath, "You were the one I relied on. My right-hand woman, if you will. I trusted you both as a coworker and an individual. When you walked out, it hurt I'm not going to lie. I acted like it affected nothing, and it was fine, so it was fine. You leaving was just another change that the company, no, I had to adapt to." He purses his lips together, furrowing his brow as he chooses his next words carefully. "Woman after woman had taken my father from me, and I vowed to not be like that. I asked you to cut your hair so that wouldn't be an issue and I thought the problem was solved. But when I saw you with her, I was worried I would lose you as well. Fully lose you. I apologize, do you accept?"
I consider what he's said, the ticking clock in the background being the only thing to break the silence. "You didn't lose me because of MC," I finally speak. "You lost me because of your own actions."
"I understand that it's no excuse, merely an explanation-"
I cut him off, "Yeah, it isn't an excuse. You hurt MC, more than you hurt me. You're going to have to apologize to her yourself."
"How can I face her so soon after what I've said?" he asks, uncertainty in his voice.
"I don't know," I admit. "You're going to have to figure that out yourself. Until MC says that you guys are good, then we," I gesture between the two of us, "aren't good." My legs are shaky, but I don't think he notices. I'd never of dreamed to stand up to Jumin like this before. Despite us having been somewhat close, some may even say friends, he was still my boss and I didn't want to be disrespectful. But he isn't my boss anymore.
Jumin seems at a loss for words, and having said all that I needed to say, I excuse myself from his office. A part of me feels bad for leaving him in there like I did, but that's on him to decide how he will handle it now.
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The spaceship's sensors have caught the RFA members meaningless thoughts...
Jumin: "Elizabeth, if only you could tell me what to do."
707: "MC won't be mad about the mess I made, right? I cleaned most of it up..."
Thank you for reading this chapter of Mystic Radio! If you liked it, make sure to leave a like and subscribe so you know when the next update is! Now, go enjoy some Honey Buddha chips, and I'll see you next chapter! ~Des
