AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 2 -- Chapter 09

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Seated on the broad marble-paved outdoor terrace of the Yoon's home, Sun-Mi waits pensively for her audience with Hyung-Chul's father, Chairman Yoon Hoe-Jang.

 

As soon as she had alighted from the limousine, the attending servant, an efficient, middle-aged woman, had taken charge, immediately whisking her off to freshen up. Later, while being escorted through the expansive main floor of the home, Sun-Mi had observed the lavish furnishings and expensive artwork decorating every room. Whether being sent deliberately or not, the message she'd picked up had driven home even more acutely the wide social and financial chasm between herself and her host, who existed in a world she could not remotely begin to comprehend.

 

"Did Cinderella have the slightest inkling of what she was getting herself into?" she muses over the ramifications of the fairytale story's 'happily ever after' ending, not lost on the parallel circumstances of her own situation.

 

 

Gazing out over the wide green lawn sloping down to a retaining wall below, she can see the skyscrapers of Seoul's cityscape rising in the distance. A light breeze, wafting up the hillside, is a cool respite from the humid heat. The pair of comfortable house slippers exchanged for her high heels provide a welcome relief to her aching foot.

 

Already waiting on the bistro table beside her when she sat down, two tall iced teas sit with beads of moisture condensing on the fogged glasses. She takes a long swallow, but the refreshing liquid does little to salve the nervous dryness in her throat.

 

"You've made it this far," she encourages herself, "so don't hold back now. Whatever it is he says, stand up for yourself and Senior!"

 

 

The sound of a door opening informs Sun-Mi that Hoe-Jang is about to join her. In the interim, he has changed from his suit into casual khakis and a knit Polo shirt.

 

"Are you feeling better now, Miss Jin?" he greets her cordially. "Comfortable?"

 

"Yes. Thank you for inviting me in," she replies appreciatively. "You have a wonderful home."

 

"I'll give the credit for that to my wife. Though, frankly, I find it a bit ostentatious for my taste," he confides.

 

Settling onto the chair across the table from Sun-Mi, he gazes into the distance as he shares, "The view, in nice weather, makes this my favorite space to relax."

 

"The view is remarkable," she agrees.

 

 

"Now, what is on your mind," he opens the door. "What brought you all the way up here to say to me?"

 

"I heard what happened at Yoo Joo-Hee's engagement party. Is it true that you have disowned your son?" she directly asks.

 

"That is a family matter," he states flatly. "It should be of no concern to you."

 

"But it is!" Sun-Mi differs. "It happened because of me. If someone must be punished, let it be me, not him!"

 

"Your willingness is admirable, but punishing you would change nothing, so set that idea aside," Hoe-Jang discounts her request. "Furthermore, don't believe everything you hear. Rumors seldom tell the whole story, and words spoken in a heated moment are not always intended to be kept."

 

"No offense intended, Chairman Yoon, but you seem to be avoiding the question," she presses him.

 

 

Hoe-Jang contemplates Sun-Mi, and his answer, before speaking.

 

"Hyung-Chul told me that you intend to marry, but that day at the MBS Anniversary celebration, you seemed to feel differently," he changes the subject.

 

"At that time, it's true I was undecided," Sun-Mi admits, "but since then I've come to love your son with all my heart. Why do you ask?"

 

"Because I wanted to be certain of your relationship, before I said any more," he explains. "What I'm about to tell you is in the strictest confidence, and must not be repeated to anyone."

 

"You have my word," she promises.

 

"What happened at the engagement party was an act, planned by Hyung-Chul, to protect me and my position as Chairman in the Company," he reveals.

 

Sun-Mi is surprised. "Then, you haven't disowned him?"

 

"My first, arranged, marriage ended disastrously," he reminds her. "I'm not about to force my son into the same mistake! Actually, I admire him for taking a stand for his principles, something I was unable to do in his place."

 

"You accept that he won't marry Yoo Joo-Hee?"

 

"Joo-Hee is a fine woman, everything my wife had hoped for when her father made the arrangement," he replies. "But if my son believes differently, I will accept his decision."

 

"Then, will you give us your blessing?" Sun-Mi requests excitedly.

 

 

"I have nothing against you personally, Miss Jin," Hoe-Jang assures her. "If you sincerely love each other, I won't oppose your marriage. However, I cannot give my public approval at this time."

 

As the light of hope drains from her eyes, he continues, "Please try to understand my situation, and forgive me. There is much at stake here for many people. I won't tell you what to do or not do in the days ahead. But I trust you will make the right decision for yourself, and my son."

 

He stands.

 

"I have to leave first, as I have other business to attend to," Hoe-Jang declares their meeting is ended. "Hyung-Chul will come soon to send you home. In the meantime, you're welcome to remain here and enjoy your tea."

 

 

Sun-Mi stands, too, and bows. "Thank you for your time today, and for not rejecting me, Mr. Chairman."

 

 

Hoe-Jang turns and starts to walk away, then looks back at Sun-Mi, stating, "When we next meet, perhaps it won't be 'Mr. Chairman'."

 

He disappears back inside the house, leaving Sun-Mi reflecting on his parting words.

 

"Did he just say, indirectly, that he wanted me to marry Senior, after all?" she wonders aloud to herself.

 

 

Sun-Mi is about to retake her seat, when she hears the sound of the door opening again, and a female voice speaking from behind her.

 

"Be careful what you hope for," the woman states cryptically.

 

When Sun-Mi turns to look, the woman introduces herself, "We've never met, but I am Kim Eun-Ok, Chairman Yoon's wife."

 

 

Surprised by the unexpected appearance, Sun-Mi dips her head respectfully. "M--Mrs. Chairman."

 

Hyung-Chul had briefly mentioned his step-mother to her before, and from what she knows about Eun-Ok, Sun-Mi is wary of her intentions.

 

 

"Let's talk," Eun-Ok requests, motioning toward the table and chairs. "I have something to say to you ..."