AAE -- For Better For Worse

Chapter 26

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

The Eve's Morning team gathers for their regular morning pre-broadcast meeting. The faint aroma of vending coffee percolates throughout the room. Light banter flies back and forth as they settle into their usual places -- senior members nearest to the head, juniors taking the back.

 

Director Yoon Hyung-Chul enters without ceremony, his tailored charcoal suit cutting a sharp contrast against the casually dressed staff. The room shifts subtly -- postures straighten, voices fade. He walks with measured confidence to the head of the table -- a spot normally occupied by Kim Sun-Dal or PD Park -- and sits with quiet authority. Silent speculation grips the room, unspoken questions bubble just under the surface.

 

"I understand tensions are high," he begins, voice clipped and formal. "Announcer Huh Young-Mi's disappearance. And this week, you've had to adjust to a guest anchor, Announcer 2 Team's Lee Mi-Ra."

 

He pauses, letting the silence stretch.

 

"As you  know, we're considering Mi-Ra for a permanent slot. But I've heard whispers of discontent. If anyone has concerns, speak now."

 

 

Hyung-Chul looks around the table. No one speaks.

 

PD Park clears his throat.

 

Hyung-Chul arches an eyebrow.

 

A knock interrupts.

 

"Come in."

 

Heads swivel to look

 

The door opens. Sun-Mi steps in, her voice bright. "Hello, everyone..."

 

Catching her breath, she freezes mid-step. Her eyes lock on Hyung-Chul -- she hadn’t expected him. Not today. Not like this.

 

Color drains from her face. Her smile falters. For a moment, the room tilts, as if the floor beneath her shifted.

 

 

PD Park immediately jumps in. "Please sit, and we'll get started."

 

"Yes," she replies, barely audible.

 

Across the room, Shin Ki-Jong gestures to the empty seat next to him.

 

 

Sun-Mi exhales sharply. The floor steadies beneath her feet. She strides forward with stiff poise, the slight swish of her baby blue Ralph Lauren pantsuit and crisp clicks of her Gucci heels slicing through the strained silence.

 

As she passes behind Hyung-Chul, neither acknowledges the other. The tension between them crackles -- invisible, electric, impossible to ignore. Furtive glances exchange around the conference room. Whispered rumors now feel confirmed.

 

 

Sun-Mi sinks into the chair beside Ki-Jong, grateful to be off her shaky legs.

 

"The new London Special Correspondent... I'm envious!" Ki-Jong teases, trying to lighten the mood.

 

"Are you leaving tomorrow?" Lee Kyung-Hee asks.

 

"Yes, I am," Sun-Mi replies quietly.

 

"Sun-Mi, you won't be there a long time, but you'll have to work really hard," Choi Jin-Soo blurts, awkwardly cheerful.

 

 

Sun-Mi forces a smile, glancing over at Hyung-Chul. But when he looks up, she quickly looks away.

 

"Sun-Mi, there are some good cafes along the Thames," Ki-Jong speaks up. "Go there when you have time ... and be sure to check out the football teams. The best one is Arsenal."

 

Laughter ripples through the room -- Sun-Mi has never shown any interest in watching sports.

 

 

Another knock. Kim Sun-Dal enters.

 

"Back so soon?" Jin-Soo asks.

 

Ki-Jong adds, "Have a good vacation?"

 

"Yes," Sun-Dal replies. "The time off was very relaxing."

 

PD Park announces, "Everyone's here now. So let's get down to business."

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

 

The meeting wrapped, PD Park stands. "See you all on set. Director?"

 

"We accomplished a lot today. Thank you for working hard," Hyung-Chul says.

 

As the staff begins to rise, he adds, "Announcer Jin, may I have a word?"

 

The usually posts-meeting chatter stops. One by one, the team files out, leaving Sun-Mi alone with Hyung-Chul.

 

He waits until the door clicks shut.

 

"It's been awhile. How have you been? Are you unwell?"

 

Sun-Mi clears her throat. "Ehm..."

 

"I'm asking as your manager," he says, his voice firm yet warm. "If you co-host today, you must be in good health."

 

"I'm fine," she replies coolly. "If I'd known you'd be present, I'd have come more prepared. But it won't affect my performance."

 

 

He nods. But the mask slips. Emotion strains his face.

 

"Sun-Mi, I know I shouldn't say this, but..."

 

"Then don't," she interrupts, her voice cold as her eyes. "At this point, it's better to leave things unsaid."

 

She stands.

 

"I'm leaving first, Director Yoon. I have a program to prepare for. And please, don't come to the studio to watch. This is the last time I want to see your face before I go."

 

Hyung-Chul blinks, stunned.

 

She quickly walks to the door, reaching for the handle.

 

"Sun-Mi, wait!" he commands, voice cracking.

 

She stops, but does not look back.

 

"I don't want to part like this. Can't we say goodbye with a smile?"

 

"What's the point?" Her voice shakes. Tears prick her eyes. "You'll erase me from your mind. We agreed to that."

 

"We agreed I'd let you go, if you want to leave," he says. "But photographic memory is indelible. I couldn't forget you, even if I tried."

 

 

Sun-Mi's hand trembles on the doorknob.

 

"Senior ..." The word slips out unbidden, out of habit. "Actually... Actually..."

 

One step, and she could be in his comforting arms. But she doesn't move. Joo-Hee's voice resonates in her mind...

 

'There is no place for you in Hyung-Chul's future... his destiny is to marry me... Run away, forget everything... for your sake... and his.'

 

 

Sun-Mi grasps the handle. Shoves the door open, her resolve hardening.

 

"Director Yoon, I have to go..."

 

She steps out, not looking back -- leaving behind the man she loves, the life she never dared to claim.