AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 2 -- Chapter 22

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Sun-Mi places her dripping umbrella on the car's floor by her feet and fastens her seatbelt as Hyung-Chul signals his intentions to move on from the bus stop. Waiting for the opportune moment, he inserts the car into a gap in the steady flow of rush hour traffic. Safely amid the crawling lines of vehicles, he turns his attention to Sun-Mi.

 

"You look... different... today," he observes noncommittally.

 

"If you don't like it," she assumes from his lack of enthusiasm, "just say so!"

 

"Does whether I like it or not matter? It's just surprising, that's all," he replies obliquely. "This is a different side of you than I've seen before."

 

 

With his nominal acceptance, Sun-Mi's relaxes her defensive posture.

 

"I thought it was time for a change, and I wanted a style that is easier to care for, now that I'm going to be a correspondent," she preempts what she suspects is on his mind. "The color is temporary. I can wash it out tomorrow if I choose."

 

"I see..." he nods. "But this outfit is hardly like you."

 

"That's on purpose. As with the hair color, I deliberately chose what is NOT like me, so I wouldn't be recognized," she explains.

 

"A disguise, like in a spy movie?"

 

"I had you completely fooled, right?" she grins smugly.

 

 

"Yes," he admits to her success.

 

"But now if I'm seen with you, rumors will spread that I'm picking up 'strange' women," Hyung-Chul jests.

 

 

"Is that an excuse to not take me out to dinner?" Sun-Mi complains, pouting her lips. "I was hoping for something nice tonight. It's our first official date as an engaged couple!"

 

"We could get Chinese carryout and eat in the car," he cracks jokingly.

 

 

Sun-Mi gives him her 'can you be serious for once' expression and pointedly ignores the jest.

 

"Actually, I have a better solution. You could use a disguise, too," she suggests. "Like before, when you first became 'Mr. Director' and we would go out. You certainly had me fooled then."

 

The reminder puts a sour taste in Hyung-Chul's mouth. "Yeah, and you almost broke up with me because of it," he grumbles.

 

 

Sun-Mi reaches over and puts her hand on his arm, so he can see the sparkle on her finger.

 

"That will never happen again," she confirms their promise.

 

 

"All right. We'll drive to my place first, so I can change," he decides.

 

"First, you can drop me at the park across the street from your villa," she overrules him. "We'll rendezvous there, and take a bus or taxi, so no one will put two-and-two together."

 

"This was planned all along!" he realizes belatedly.

 

"You only just figured it out?" she laughs.

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

An hour later, Sun-Mi and Hyung-Chul are at the bustling shopping mall of Samsung Plaza in Seongnam's Seohyeon-dong. Dressed in a casual open-neck white cotton shirt, light tan khakis, and brown penny loafers, he sports a pair of oval teashade sunglasses and de-gelled, blow-dried hair.

 

"What did I tell you?" Sun-Mi remarks jubilantly as they stroll along incognito. "No one recognizes us!"

 

"Since no one is watching, you won't mind then," he says, reaching to take her hand in his and grasp it tightly. "I've been wanting to hold your hand for days, and now that I finally have the chance, I'm not letting it go."

 

 

Sun-Mi readily acquiesces. He is not the only one craving contact!

 

"Where are we going to eat?" she prompts, curious of his intentions.

 

"I know the perfect place, and it's just five minutes from here," he answers, steering her by the hand. "This way..."

 

 

After a short walk, they come to an intersection, that Sun-Mi envisions vaguely. "Where is this?"

 

"We came here once, that night I stayed over at your home," he refreshes her memory.

 

"Oh, right. It's where that American woman was singing," she recalls the building on the corner, a bit disappointed at his choice. She still remembered -- and regretted -- the troubling miscommunications that almost led to their breaking up that night instead.

 

 

They take the lift, getting out at 5F, and walk into the Odyssey Club entry.

 

The dining room captain meets them at the doors and seats them immediately at a table near the stage. The small lounge is almost at capacity, filled with the muted clink of dishware and the buzz of dozens of conversations mingled together.

 

"Is anyone on the docket tonight?" Hyung-Chul asks, motioning toward the piano on the riser.

 

"I'm sorry. No one is booked," the captain apologizes.

 

 

Hyung-Chul jumps at the opportunity. "Then, may I sing a song for my girl?"

 

Glancing from Hyung-Chul to Sun-Mi, the captain hesitates at the unusual request.

 

"We've just engaged," Hyung-Chul explains his motivation. "This is s special night for us."

 

"As you wish," the captain accedes, move by his sincerity. "I'll turn on the mic."

 

 

Sun-Mi had listened to the two men's exchange, certain of a denial. Now, worried of being put in the spotlight, she reaches over in an attempt to stop Hyung-Chul as he stands.

 

"Senior! Don't!" she hisses. "It's so embarrassing."

 

 

Ignoring her protestations, he goes straight to the piano and sits on the bench. With a light tap on the microphone first to check if it is on, Hyung-Chul speaks briefly into it.

 

"Good evening. I'd like to dedicate this song by Jo Gyu Man to my fiancee, who is everything to me."

 

Resting his hands on the keyboard, Hyung-Chul first plays a brief opening riff that segues into the melody of I Will Give You All (Da Jukota) as he croons the lyrics...

 

"I watch you as you walk slowly towards me.

"I suddenly dread the day I might not be able to see you coming towards me again.

"I shut my eyes tightly.

"I could only say thank you. Thank you."

 

 

Sun-Mi, remembering the first time she had heard him sing it in the noraebang party for the Eve's Morning program team, beams her captivating smile brightly at Hyung-Chul.

 

The dining room audience, having scarcely paid attention at first to the nondescript man at the piano, gradually quiets their hubbub to listen in rapt silence, stunned by his professional performance.

 

The dining room captain, realizing the uniqueness of the moment, quickly signals his wait staff to temporarily halt serving, so as to not break the spell holding the entire assemblage in its enthralling embrace.

 

As he sings, Hyung-Chul looks directly at Sun-Mi, conveying with his eyes the deep feelings outpouring from his heart through the music and words...

 

"Are you lonely during the times when we were apart?

"I can see that you are growing thinner by the day.

"If you are tired, go ahead and cry.

"Let your sorrows disappear with your tears.

"Let you be in my arms.

 

 

The audience soon picks up on the focus of his affections, the young woman with a crimson streak in her hair and heartfelt tears streaming unashamedly down her face.

 

But Sun-Mi is unaware of being the center of attention. She only sees the man she desires with all her heart, and only hears the declaration of his devotion to her. Nothing else matters except their love -- True Love -- that imbues her heart with overwhelming joy and happiness...

 

"Let's comfort and console give each other to forget our unhappy memories.

"I know I'm really not good enough for the both of us.

"But I will give my all to love you..."