AAE -- For Better For Worse

Chapter 28

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

In the Eve's Morning studio, Sun-Mi flips to the next page of her script.

 

She reads, "Next, we met with volunteers at an orphanage in Kang-Won-Do..."

 

The screen cuts to a pre-taped scene at the orphanage showing people working with the children.

 

 

Sun-Mi looks up at the studio TV monitor to time her next line. Watching the tape, she recognizes Young-Mi as one of the volunteers helping the children.

 

She stares, wide-eyed, at the TV monitor.

 

How could it be? Young-Mi had been missing for weeks. Presumed dead. But there she was -- alive, smiling, acting as if nothing had happened.

 

Sun-Mi catches her breath. The studio dissolves into a blur of light and shadow. The chatter in her earpiece fades to a distant hum.

 

 

Instantly, everyone on the set picks up on Sun-Mi's shocked expression. Their eyes also turn to the TV monitor.

 

 

In the control room, PD Park watches with alarm.

 

"What's with Sun-Mi?!" he barks into his headset microphone, "Kim Sun-Dal! Next line."

 

 

But Sun-Dal, reading the team, makes a judgment call.

 

"We're having studio difficulties," he says calmly. "We'll resume our program momentarily."

 

 

In the control room, Hyung-Chul and the staff scrutinize the TV monitors.

 

"There, is that Young-Mi?" PD Park asks.

 

 

On the set, everything is still in chaos.

 

"Did I see Young-Mi on-screen a second ago?" Ki-Jong asks, pointing.

 

Jin-Soo gets up and hurries forward for a closer look. "Too late." He goes back to the desk. "Sun-Mi? You saw Young-Mi, right?"

 

 

Sun-Mi doesn't answer. Snapping out of her daze, she gets up from her seat and turns to Sun-Dal.

 

"Senior, I want to go and see Young-Mi."

 

"I'll have a car at the main entrance," he replies.

 

 

Fifteen minutes later, Sun-Mi bursts from the lift like a racehorse off the starting gate, She weaves her way across the main lobby, heedless of risking a turned ankle, high heels clattering a warning of her approach.

 

 

Outside, by the waiting car, a knot of people mill about.

 

"She's coming," Cho-Jeh announces when Sun-Mi appears at the revolving door. She waves her onward, shouting, "Sun-Mi!"

 

"Sun-Mi!" Jin-Soo echoes, opening the car door.

 

Sun-Mi quickly slides in.

 

 

On the driver's side, Sun-Dal steps out and Hyung-Chul takes his place behind the wheel.

 

Sun-Mi looks out the window, trading last minute farewells.

 

"Call us, Sun-Mi," Joo-Hee asks.

 

"Have a safe drive," Ki-Jong adds.

 

"Be careful," Jin-Soo chimes in.

 

"Buckle up," Cho-Jeh reminds.

 

"Yes," Sun-Mi replies.

 

"We'll see you soon," Kyung-Hee has the last word.

 

 

The car pulls away.

 

Sun-Mi buckles in, then turns toward the driver. Her face hardens the moment she sees Hyung-Chul.

 

"Where is Manager Kim? Why are you doing this to me?"

 

Hyung-Chul shrugs. "It's not about you. I thought I should talk with Young-Mi myself. After all, she left her resignation letter with me."

 

 

They drive east from Yeouido on the Olympic-daero out of Seoul, then take Misa-daero to the Paldong Bridge, crossing the Han River. From there, they follow Gyeonggang-ro, then turn north on Bukhangang-ro, passing under the Jungang Line Bridge.

 

Sun-Mi watches the passing scenery, silent.

 

Eventually, Hyung-Chul tires of playing her game, and initiates conversation.

 

"What did Joo-Hee tell you?"

 

She doesn't answer.

 

"Did she say that MBS will collapse unless I become President? That GM Kim will put hundreds of people out of work?"

 

Sun-Mi turns and looks at him, her gaze unreadable.

 

He chuckles. "Joo-Hee conveniently forgot to mention that GM Kim was in charge while my father was hospitalized for a year. The Company didn't fail then, and it won't now."

 

 

They start to cross the Gyeonggang Bridge over the Bukhan River, heading into Gangwon-do.

 

"MBS isn't dependent on a single person. And GM Kim is not guaranteed the position. There are other candidates."

 

He looks at her. "Now, anything to say?"

 

"Yes," she replies quietly. "Joo-Hee did tell me that, and I believed her. But if you think that's why I said we should break up, you're mistaken."

 

"Then why?"

 

"I thought I was clear that night."

 

"That you don't want to be held back by ties to your life here?"

 

 

"Yes. We shared good times, and hard ones. But it's over now. I need to stand on my own. And you should too, Senior."

 

She pauses. "There's nothing more to say. So please, let's move on."