| Fan Fiction |
by Take_Flight
I hope you've been doing well :D Two years is indeed a long wait. I hope you forgive me for that :) I'm still surprise to see the comments still coming in despite the absent. Thank you thank you so much for the encouragement!!
Here's the update as promised. Enjoy!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Waaaahhh…dinner was so awesome! I thought my stomach’s going to explode with all the food!” Chloe exclaimed as she made her way slowly to the front gate.
“And that was some good wine as well!” Henry added with a wide grin.
“I’m guessing that so-called pot roast we bought wasn’t really that necessary” Chloe commented, wrapping her thick scarf around her neck.
Nadine laughed. “Aw come on. Your pot roast wasn’t that so bad” she said.
“And you’re such a graceful host” Chloe said, kissing Nadine on both cheeks. “Tonight’s dinner was amazing. I have a feeling I am going to have a serious craving for Mexican food in days to come”
Changmin saw Nadine beaming when she heard that. And he had to give himself a pat on the back as well for encouraging Nadine to prepare a Mexican theme dinner for Henry and Chloe. Since Ri In’s first step to make Nadine miss her hometown sort of failed because she caught the flu and cough, Changmin decided to went ahead with the plan first and when Nadine started asking him what they should prepare for the dinner’s menu, he was dropping hints about cooking something…non – Korean. At first Nadine did not get what he was trying to say but it’s just so happen that they were watching a cooking show and it was about making meatballs in some chipotle sauce. Nadine had commented that it was her brother’s favorite dish and well…it got started from there.
Nadine started searching for suitable dishes that might be perfect for the night and after much pondering, she had decided on four dishes which they ate with rice. There was the beef empanaditas for the appetizers, which were like mini pastry puffs that had got Chloe swooning at the very sight of it. Changmin too was impressed with how Nadine busied herself with the cooking and from what she heard from Jung Ah, the lady had a hard time keeping up with the instructions given to her but she got the hang of it.
“For someone with a broken arm, that girl can actually create quite a storm in the kitchen!” Jung Ah had told him.
The main dish was enchiladas which were a flour tortilla with a generous filling of meat, potatoes and green beans. Another dish was fish in creamy cilantro sauce which Nadine had cooked in perfection, although she got the red snapper slightly burn, but it was all forgiven. Changmin was pleased to see that Nadine started telling Chloe and Henry about her life back in Mexico City, and the ever so curious couple kept on asking her where are the places they should head to when they dropped by there someday.
“The place sounds really amazing!!” Chloe gushed. “And I really love saying the name of these dishes. I like the way your tongue just rolls with it as you speak!” she enthused, much to everyone’s surprise.
When Henry had asked where Nadine had learned to be such a refined chef, Changmin noticed that there was a glazed look on her eyes and he knew that the question had hit on a sensitive spot. But Nadine was quick enough to muster a smile and calmly told them that her mother was the one who had taught her.
“She was not a patient woman though, so I do get scolded a lot from time to time” Nadine had added sheepishly.
Chloe laughed. “But it was all worth it! Look what you did tonight and I bet she’ll be proud of you if she sees this!”
Nadine had only gave her new friend a small warm smile but there was bitterness somewhere on her face so Changmin swiftly changed the subject asking Chloe about her latest project. As Chloe went to talk about it, Changmin can’t help but to keep stealing glances at Nadine who had grown quiet and was poking her food around the plate.
After the scrumptious meal, they were treated to a dish of silky custard pudding topped with sweet caramel sweet and Chloe thought she was going crazy that night.
“I’ve never tasted anything so good!!” Chloe had mused and even Henry and Changmin had to agree. “Did you know she can make something like this?! Man, you’re one lucky guy!” she had said.
Changmin smiled thinking about that and he snapped back to reality when Nadine poked him on his arm. “What’s on your mind?” she asked, and he realized that it was only the two of them standing at the front gate. Henry and Chloe had already long said their goodbyes.
“Uh..nothing” Changmin told her, as he closed the gate. He followed Nadine back into the house, slipping his arm around her waist.
“Oh God, there’s so much washing to be done” Nadine groaned when they stepped into the kitchen. It was true though. She had cooked up quite a storm that she had forgotten about the dirty utensils piled up at the sink.
“Leave it then. We can do it together tomorrow” Changmin told her, steering her out of the kitchen.
“Really?” Nadine asked with raised eyebrows. “You’re not afraid roaches will come out at night and have a party here?”
Changmin chuckled. “Don’t worry, this house is pest free” he assured her as they went to the living room.
Nadine nodded and flexed her arms. “Araso” she said.
“Did you have fun tonight?” Changmin asked as they made themselves comfortable on the sofa in the living room.
Nadine nodded. “SO much fun! From coming up with the menu, and doing the cooking—
“Which was wonderfully done! I wish I had came home earlier to help you out” Changmin interrupted.
“Nah, it’s okay” Nadine assured him. “How was your work today?”
Changmin shrugged. “Same old same old” he replied. Nadine nodded again, and then glanced around at the empty house, not sure how to continue the conversation after that.
Changmin took a deep breath, decided that tonight will be the night where he will finally do the right thing.
“Nadine…” Changmin started and the girl turned to face him. “Hmm?”
“Umm, there’s something I want to show you” Changmin told her slowly. “And I’m not sure how you’re going to react to it”
Nadine raised her eyebrows, noticing the serious look on his face. “What is it about?” she asked cautiously.
Changmin stood up abruptly and Nadine’s eyes followed him. “Just wait here for a while” he told her.
“O..Ok” Nadine said, and Changmin could tell she was getting disturbed by his sudden occurrence. Now he wonders how she will react to what she will see later.
Changmin walked briskly to his office and quickly got what he need. He walked slowly on his way back to the living room and paused for a while, taking a peek at his girlfriend who was still sitting on the sofa, but with a rigid posture. Nadine looked so stunning tonight, and Changmin could tell that she had put in a lot of effort in dressing up for the dinner. The deep dark green dress she wore was enough to make Changmin’s heart beat in a rapid pace when he came back from work and saw her standing in the kitchen, making last minute addition to the desserts. There was something about the dress and her make-up that Changmin had found her too irresistible; from the length of the dress that was able to show off her slim legs, to the little Empire bodice that was hugging her slim waist, and the way her straight hair was turned into smooth locks and was cascading beautifully behind her back.
Changmin stepped into the living room, his hands behind his back. Nadine sat up straighter when she saw him, her eyes watching him like a hawk. “What’s behind your back?” she asked casually.
Changmin took a seat beside her and gulped. “You’re probably not going to like it” he told her.
Nadine narrowed her eyes at him. “Okay, this is getting way too creepy for me. Can you just tell me what’s going on” she said, sounding a bit too displeased.
“It’s about Jaejoong” Changmin spoke and a dark shadow crossed her pretty face.
“What?”
Changmin held up the file he was hiding and Nadine’s eyes widened when she saw the police force logo etched on the cover. “W..What’s that?” she asked.
“Everything that is about him. About his measly plot to get closer to you and ---“
“To get CLOSER to me?” Nadine echoed and Changmin immediately regretted for bringing up the discussion. Before he had the chance to continue, Nadine snatched the file from him with her good hand and flipped it opened frantically.
“Nadine” Changmin started but there was a funny gagging sound coming from Nadine when she saw the page with her ex-boyfriend and Jaejoong photo clipped side by side. She went quiet as she scanned the comments written by the police department.
Changmin let Nadine continued reading the file and both of them lapsed into silence. The only sound was coming from rustling of the papers in Nadine’s hands.
Changmin had no idea how long they’ve been quiet until Nadine raised her head and he was surprised to see that she had a composed aura around her.
“Why didn’t you show me this sooner?” Nadine questioned him as she tossed the file onto the coffee table, like it was piece of junk and she didn’t want to see it again.
“I figured you need time to recuperate” Changmin answered.
Nadine’s eyes averted back to the file, her mouth set in a disapproving pout. “I can’t believe Jaejoong just wanted to use me. I really didn’t see that coming” she whispered bitterly. “I am NOT sorry that I put his best friend in jail; but..to just seek r..revenge—
Changmin came forward and gathered Nadine in his arms. “He’s a monster!” Nadine sobbed. “And I’m so stupid to trust him!”
“No, it’s not your fault—
Nadine removed herself from Changmin’s embrace and shook her head. “It’s entirely my fault!” she told him. “And I’m truly sorry for hiding all this from you. I wanted to tell you but I was afraid that you will treat me like how everyone was doing it back home. I was afraid to lose you and I..I just can’t let that happen” she added tearfully. “I’m so sorry”
“I’m not mad at you Nadine. And I won’t be if you come clean with me” Changmin assured her as he wiped away the tears that was streaming down her face.
“What?” Nadine asked him in a shaky voice. “Why?”
“Cause it’s a thing of the past. I am your present, and your future, and I’m not going to let your dark moments ruin our relationship” Changmin told her.
Nadine bit her upper lip and Changmin saw the uncertainty in her eyes. “I..I should have listened to you and Ri In right from the start. I was just too nice and too naïve. And I REALLY thought that we could be friends—“ Nadine paused for a while, pushing her hair back from her face. “I’m so stupid!” she said again before crumbling into tears again.
Changmin was at loss, seeing Nadine in a devastating heap. He could only cradle her in his arms as she cried her heart out.
Jaejoong was actually a creep, stalking his girlfriend and knowing all her schedules and plans. Changmin knew there was something sinister about that guy, but he didn’t know that there’s was a loose wire somewhere in Jaejoong’s head. The trip to Japan was actually part of Jaejoong’s plan just so he can have some alone time with his prey. The guy apparently knows someone from the organization and had paid a huge sum to make sure Nadine’s art team will be going to Japan. So Changmin’s gut feeling had been right all along when he was watching Nadine left for the trip. He had a bad ominous feeling looming over him but he had tried to brush it away.
Changmin kissed the top of Nadine’s head, holding her real tight like a fragile doll. Her weeping had subsided but he knew that her mind was still reeling from the discovery.
“Is his sister okay?” Nadine suddenly spoke up.
“What?” Changmin asked.
“The file mentioned he has a sister” Nadine said, sitting up straight. “Is she okay?”
Changmin stared at Nadine’s tear-stained face. “They put her in a Home” he replied. “She’s just as a troubled person as the brother was”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Sixteen and pregnant” Changmin replied. It almost hurt him to say that to her.
“And her brother’s dead” Nadine added in a hoarse voice.
“Nadine look at me” Changmin ordered her, taking her by the shoulder as Nadine’s lips started to tremble. “I killed her brother” she told him.
“No. YOU DID NOT KILL HER BROTHER” Changmin said in a firm voice. “It’s not your fault that all this is happening. Jaejoong was a sick man. He seeks out revenge on his friend but the tables turn and he got what he deserves. He started this. NOT YOU. He was getting desperate by the minute and had to be rash in his actions which is why he chose the violent way out. You are way better than him Nadine. Don’t ever think that you’ve stoop to his level. You will NEVER be like him and I will not let you ruin your life because of what just happened”
Nadine’s eyes glistened, trying to blink back the tears but Changmin could see there was still doubt in her eyes.
“I can’t bear the thought of you losing you again…or to let yourself lose in this mayhem. I need you back Nadine Arena” Changmin said, his voice clear and firm.
“I don’t know about that…” Nadine said in a sad voice and a sob escaped from her.
“You cannot continue being like this. I don’t like to see you torture yourself” Changmin told her, bringing her closer to him.
Nadine closed her eyes, leaning her head on his chest. Changmin knew this was all coming in too fast for her. He didn’t mean to let all this come crashing down tonight. It had been such a special evening for the both of them but he could not afford to hold back any longer. Nadine needs to know what’s been going on and he needs to be walking on eggshells around her. It’s unfair for her to be left in the shadows and he to pretend that everything was alright.
Changmin and Nadine stayed in each other’s embrace for some time and before they know it, both of them fell back on the sofa, as sleep overcomes them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
miro : thank for you loving this story!
kiisachan: YOU!! I really miss reading your wild crazy comments!! I hope you're doing well :)
sob omg: enjoy this update and thank you for waiting!
pqa junsu: thank you! I hope we can end this story nice and easy without me disappearing again *winks*
kelly: I hope you're still out there!
mina: it's been almost a year since you last commented. I hope you're coping well with Uni.
undermickysskin: how are you doing?? hahaha...your comment made me laugh!! i hope you're doing well too!!