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// T/W: Mention of throwing up, mild eating disorder//
The place was colossal, almost like a royal palace. The huge gates were opened, guards standing on both sides. The lad in the maroon suit walked in front, his steps upon the gravelled garden path making a gritty noise, followed by the two in black right behind him. The doors of the mansion were immediately opened and the three were quickly ushered to a room right on the second floor.
The room was voluminous and spoke words of extravagance. The walls were painted with a rich brown color, peeking with a slight tinge of red, yet almost maroon but exactly not, a color combination the maroon suited lad couldn't clearly comprehend. A large chandelier hung on the artistically carved ceiling, as yellow and white lights brightly illuminated the room. Large casements were draped with thick, long curtains, preventing the interior view to be exposed to the outside world.
Besides digesting the quick view of the room, his attention was immediately grabbed by the mob of people in front of him. Right in front of his eyes was a huge table of mahogany, beautiful carvings endowing it in places. Surrounding it were a few chairs which were already occupied by people, while the rest stood around the place. The maroon suited lad took his seat in an empty chair placed for him, while the other two stood close to him, right beside the chair.
"Mars, long time no see, m'boy," a gruff voice spoke, belonging to the man who sat exactly opposite to the maroon suited lad.
The young boy settled himself on the seat, crossing his legs under the table, with his hands on his lap and with a look of seriousness and sheer amusement, he smiled at the man who spoke earlier.
"It's been a while, Mr. Wu," he replied, voice laced with elegancy and immense respect, "I'm glad my father allowed me to attend this important meeting with you. Due to certain inconveniences, he couldn't attend. I hope, you would genuinely appreciate my presence instead."
The older man laughed, "Of course! Why shouldn't I?" He took an immediate long draw from his cigar and blew the smoke to his left, and then continued, "The last time I saw you Mars, you were a baby. Pity that Mina couldn't live to see her boy grow up so fine. I'm still flummoxed as to why your father never revealed your original na-"
"We're not here to discuss about my family or the secret behind my incognito, Mr. Wu," The boy spoke cooly, "And, I would gladly prefer you to refer my mother as the 'Donna' and not by her name, if you prefer to speak about her which I, right now, don't. Trifle talks over, let's get into business."
"Sure, m'boy."
* * *
Night had fallen long back and it was a sharp 11 by the clock. Silence had enveloped the place and very few people were in sight. The corridors were partly illuminated as most of the lights were turned off. A few staff members and nurses were still at work, and perhaps a team of doctors who were assigned the nocturnal hours. The stench of cleaning agents were still lurking in the air, and so were the familiar smells of chloroform, antiseptics and other medicines.
The room was quiet. The only sounds audible were the beeping of the machines and the low rumble of the pedestal fan beside the bed. A single light illuminated the place, and all the medications around added a peculiar smell to the ambience of the infirmary room.
"Woo, you gotta eat. C'mon."
Wooyoung was lying on the bed, currently half risen and propped up against the pillows. He had a bowl in his hand which contained warm broth. The lad had been stirring it for quite a while with his spoon, showing almost no signs of having it. The wires that were put on him earlier were removed a few hours ago, and as a result he felt much more free. Yet, the desire to eat was still reluctant to return to him.
"I can't eat Joong," he replied in a small voice, "I-I just can't..."
"But Woo you need to," replied a distressed Hongjoong, taking a seat on a small chair beside his brother's bed. Hongjoong had asked their mother to return home and rest, as, the woman had been with her sick child for a rigorous number of days. Even though she was in denial at first, Hongjoong's repeated urges finally had her convinced.
"The medicines are strong and you need food to build your immunity. Its important for you to eat-"
"I know Joong," Wooyoung interrupted him, a little rudely, "I know it's important. But I...I-I just can't- eat-" his voice seemed tired once again, as he stirred the off whitish fluid away in the bowl, small pieces of vegetables whirling in the whirlpool.
"This is your favourite Woo," Hongjoong spoke lowly, looking at Wooyoung with sadness in his eyes, "Why- How did this happen? You're not the type to avoid a food, especially when it's your favorite-"
"That was the old me, Joong," Wooyoung replied, sighing, "I-I myself don't know what's wrong. I just can't eat without the feeling of throwing up the next moment."
"Woo..."
"I'm hating every food item right now. And-And I can't take anything in my mouth. It just...It just feels so...bad. Everything feels so bad."
Hongjoong lowered his head. He had no words to say. The boy who loved eating, is reluctant to touch a single food item, since the very morning. When did it all go wrong? Why did all go wrong? And how? Hongjoong felt absolutely helpless.
"M-Maybe I'll have this one?"
Hongjoong immediately raised his head at the voice, and the first thing he saw was Wooyoung slowly dipping his spoon into the bowl and later, slurping down a bit of the broth from the spoon.
"It's good."
Hongjoong smiled radiantly.
"It is?"
"Y-Yeah."
"I'm so happy! You're finally eating," Hongjoong clapped his hands in glee, putting a tired yet happy smile on his brother's face too.
They spent the next hours talking about a variety of things and by the end of it, Wooyoung had successfully finished the food. A happy Hongjoong had soon completed all the tasks he was supposed to do, give his brother the medicines, tuck him in and inform the nurse assigned to his ward about being urgent if his brother required anything. Clumsy as he was, Hongjoong wouldn't let things slide when it came to his dear brother, even if his clumsiness earned him slight embarrassment.
"I'm going home now," Hongjoong said, as he gave a quick peck on Wooyoung's cheek, "Sleep well, Yongie-"
"It's almost 12 Joong," Wooyoung blurted out, "How will you-"
"I already have a cab booked Woo," Hongjoong informed, slinging his bag around his shoulders, "I'll be alrighty don't worry. Sleep well. And if you need anything, Miss Jeon will help you. I gotta go now. Buh-bye!"
"Bye."
As his brother left his room, the lights were turned off and the ambience was immediately changed into the one meant for falling asleep.
Except the fact that the occupant of the room had no speck of somnolence in his eyes.
* * *
The clock showed four in the morning. The room was still dark and only a single occupant was there.
Wooyoung had not got a single wink of sleep the entirely night and currently, was struggling to get out of the bed. Finally, he managed to get out of it and slowly dragged himself to the bathroom, his steps erratic and not calculated.
No sooner had he switched on the lights and walked in, than he collapsed in front of the toilet. Eyes heavy, body shivering, thoughts messed up. He couldn't even see anything clearly.
And then it came.
The broth was as off white as it was when he drank it, as it came out into the toilet, with slight tinges of reddish fluid mingled.
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The amount of myself I put (and will put) in Wooyoung in this specific book will be astonishing.
Not good at speaking them out, but definitely good at scratching them down with pen (or perhaps- typing lol)
Short filler chapter. Hope y'all don't get disappointed:(
Will try to make the next chapter more interesting.
Till then, take care y'all!
◌⑅⃝●♡⋆♡LOVE♡⋆♡●⑅⃝◌