AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 2 -- Chapter 18

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

The next day, Sun-Mi is pacing impatiently in her bedroom, fretting to herself, "Why isn't Senior here yet? If he was going to be late, he surely would've called me, right? What if he drove too fast again and had an accident?"

 

She looks down at the mobile phone clasped tightly in her hand and flips it open, then immediately snaps it shut again.

 

"You have to learn to trust and stop worrying," she encourages herself. "Just because something happened to Woo-Jin, doesn't mean Senior is always in danger, too!"

 

 

She looks out the window, just as a dark blue BMW pulls up to stop beside the Range Rover parked outside the gate to her home.

 

"Thank God!" she sighs, relieved, then her lips turn down into an irritated pout. "Why is he so inconsiderate, letting me worry myself to death? Couldn't he have called me from his car? How irresponsible! Wait 'till I give him a piece of my mind!"

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

As Hyung-Chul alights, Sun-Mi comes out onto the house's front porch, waiting there. He smiles and waves when he sees her, looking lovely in a light pink skirt suit and heels to complement the suit and tie she had requested he wear for their formal appeal to her father.

 

But as he as he crosses the yard, coming closer, he sees her stern expression and braces himself, anticipating the typical tongue-lashing she harangues him with whenever she is upset.

 

"You're so inconsiderate! Do you know how worried I was?! " she scolds irately as Hyung-Chul walks up the flagstone steps to the porch.

 

"Sorry. The traffic was heavy. I should've called," he apologizes.

 

"You know anxious I get when you're late," she complains.

 

"Will this help to settle your unease?" He presents a single long-stemmed red rose from behind his back.

 

 

A smile brightens Sun-Mi's face as she takes the rose and sniffs it.

 

"That's better," she coos, her ire subsumed by the heady fragrance.

 

 

"Have you talked with your father? Did he say anything about the ring?"

 

"Daddy came back an hour ago," she informs him. "I just called downstairs, so he knew I was home. I didn't want to face him alone."

 

"It's just as well," Hyung-Chul nods understandingly. "Better we face the music together."

 

"He's taking a shower now, so we still have a few minutes."

 

 

"Good!" he grins. "That gives me time to catch my breath after seeing you look so gorgeous today."

 

"Stop joking!" she grumbles. "This is serious! What are we going to say to him?"

 

"The truth. That we plan to marry, blessing or not," he replies. "Maybe he'll back down then."

 

"You don't know my father," Sun-Mi warns. "He's more likely to punish you, big time!"

 

Hyung-Chul grins. "We'll see about that."

 

 

"See about what!" Gui-Sung's voice booms from the house as the door flies open.

 

Hyung-Chul and Sun-Mi simultaneously turn to see her father storm out onto the porch.

 

"What are you doing here?!" he immediately challenges Hyung-Chul. "I warned you not to come again, or see my daughter, until you've settled your affairs!"

 

"Daddy, please! Listen to me," Sun-Mi pleads.

 

"Be quiet!" her father orders. "I'm talking to the Director."

 

"Sir, I didn't want to hide anything from you," Hyung-Chul replies. "Sun-Mi and I have decided to marry, whether you will bless us or not."

 

 

Gui-Sung looks down at Sun-Mi's hand, frowning when he sees the engagement ring back on her finger.

 

"What about your engagement to Announcer Yoo Joo-Hee?"

 

"I've ended that arrangement," Hyung-Chul answers. "It's public knowledge."

 

"And your father's blessing?"

 

Bound by his agreement with his father, Hyung-Chul demurs, "Er ... not yet."

 

 

"You both knew my position, yet deliberately ignored it to do what you wanted. What do you expect from me now?" Gui-Sung bellows. "Is it to disown, Sun-Mi, my only daughter? Or to punish you, Director, for impugning my family honor?"

 

He makes a fist and raises his arm, shaking it threateningly.

 

"Daddy! Don't!" Sun-Mi protests, reaching out to pull his hand away.

 

 

But Hyung-Chul restrains her and steps forward. "Go ahead, punish me," he requests. "I'll accept the full blame. But, please, don't disown Sun-Mi."

 

Gui-Sung lowers his fist. "I admire your fortitude, and willingness to sacrifice yourself for my daughter," he extends the compliment. "But it doesn't earn my blessing."

 

"Daddy, please don't be so stubborn!" Sun-Mi implores.

 

Hyung-Chul goes down, kneeling on the flagstone step. "Sir, I'm begging you."

 

"Senior!" she protests, tugging at his arm. "Get up!"

 

"No. I'll kneel here, until your father relents," he states boldly. "As long as it takes!"

 

 

Gui-Sung shakes his head. "Young man, you won't ... Eh? What's this?" he interrupts himself on seeing a black Mercedes-Benz limousine stop in the lane.

 

 

They all watch as the chauffer opens the rear passenger door and Hyung-Chul's father appears.

 

"Who is this?" Gui-Sung asks.

 

"My father, Mun-Yung Chairman Yoon Hoe-Jang," Hyung-Chul informs him. "I didn't know he was coming."

 

 

Hoe-Jang takes his time entering the gate and walking up to the house, surveying the scene carefully as he comes closer.

 

"Miss Jin, it's a pleasure to see you again," he speaks first. "My wife sends her regards."

 

Sun-Mi dips her head respectfully, greeting him, "Chairman... this is my father, Jin Gui-Sung."

 

"Ah, yes," Hoe-Jang nods, then introduces himself, "I'd like a word with you Mr. Jin, in private."

 

 

Sun-Mi and Hyung-Chul exchange a quick glance, then turn to look at Gui-Sung.

 

"Let's go inside, Chairman," he suggests. "May I offer you a drink?"