AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 2 -- Chapter 23

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

After dinner, Sun-Mi and Hyung-Chul took a walk through nearby Bundang Central Park. It was at this park that Sun-Mi did her report for 'Let's See the World' on the day she was introduced as the new host on the MBS Good Morning show.

 

With the late hour, the park was empty except for the occasional couple like themselves, looking for a bit of privacy.

 

"This was all so nice tonight," Sun-Mi reflects on their evening together. "Thank you, Senior."

 

"It was your idea to go in disguise," he gives credit where due. "It brings back memories of my time in London, where no one knew me or cared whose son I was."

 

"We'll be there again, soon," she reminds him, "Going back to where we started. Then we didn't know what our futures would be. I wonder how it will feel now? So much has changed. We've changed."

 

"It will be better than before, much better," he assures her. "Because we're together now."

 

 

They go on a few more steps, before Sun-Mi ventures...

 

"Senior, what would you think if it wasn't a disguise? If I actually was a person who dressed like this all the time?"

 

"Why are you asking?"

 

"When Senior Joo-Hee first gave me the chance to go in her place, I held back. But after learning that you were to marry, I saw it as an opportunity to run away from the pain of losing you."

 

"I understand that instinct to run away," he empathizes, "That was one of my reasons to go study there, too."

 

"But after my mind was opened to the possibility, my motivations began to change," Sun-Mi discloses. "I started thinking of London, not as a place to run away to, but as a chance for a fresh start in life."

 

"How so?"

 

"My dream was to be the best announcer in Korea, bringing happiness and encouragement to people facing difficult circumstances."

 

"Yes, I know."

 

"That still is my dream. I really want to do well in this new job, and be a success in my career," she enthuses. "Not like here."

 

"Who says you're not a success?" he challenges her assessment. "After Musical Postcards, and Art Club, you don't have to prove yourself."

 

"But even if they don't say it, people still think it -- 'How did she get this job with all her shortcomings? Oh, yes, isn't she the Director's special friend?' -- That's just how society is, and it won't change," Sun-Mi describes her struggle for recognition. "And after we marry, it will be even worse! How can I hold up my head and claim I'm standing only on my own two feet in the Company, when I'm the President's wife?"

 

 

Her frank assessment makes Hyung-Chul realize, and regret, that he had never considered her situation from this perspective.

 

"I'm sorry. All this time, I only thought about how much I wanted you in my life. I didn't realize how much knowing me has cost you," he rues. "That because of me, you have to give up your dream."

 

But Sun-Mi reassures him with a smile.

 

"It's a choice I was prepared to make. Between a career and marriage, I willingly chose you," she confirms. "It's not something you need to be sorry for. Married to you, here, I'd be totally happy and content just to be Mrs. Yoon Hyung-Chul, and nothing more."

 

 

Something in Sun-Mi's tone sets Hyung-Chul wondering, and worrying, about what she is trying to tell him.

 

"But, we won't be living -- here," he parses her words. "Does that mean, in London, you won't be happy just to be my wife?"

 

"Of course not!" she retorts sharply, appalled at the idea. "But... Actually..."

 

"If there's something you want to say, say it," he prompts. "Don't beat around the bush!"

 

"I'd like to believe that in London, I might have the choice to both be married and have a career of my own," she plainly imparts her concern. "That I won't have to choose one or the other, like here."

 

 

Hyung-Chul exhales a breath of relief. "Is that all? For a moment, you had me worried that it was something big."

 

Sun-Mi looks at him, askance. "You might think it's nothing, but it's important to me!" she complains of his belittlement.

 

"Then, that settles it," he replies crisply.

 

"Settles what?"

 

"If it's important to you, it's important to me," he declares. "You don't need my permission to have a choice, it's always been up to you. Whatever you decide, I will accept, no questions or doubts. I trust you to do the right thing, for both yourself, and for us..."

 

He takes her hand and holds it to reinforce his words. "Because it's you."

 

 

Thinking she would be happy to hear this, Hyung-Chul is surprised to see Sun-Mi's downcast eyes.

 

"What's wrong?" he probes. "Is it because of something I said?"

 

"No. You said everything right. I'm blessed to have such an understanding man to marry," she replies gratefully. "But..."

 

She sighs, disappointed with herself.

 

"It's because of me. I was so worried how you might respond, so focused on myself, that I forgot to trust that you would also do the right thing for both us, and for me..."

 

Sun-Mi looks at him contritely. "I feel so ashamed... I'll never doubt you again," she promises, "because it's you."

 

 

They stroll hand-in-hand along the paved walkway beside the park's artificial lake, walking toward the traditionally-styled pavilion and bridge that was used for the backdrop of the spot where Sun-Mi did her location standup.

 

"We should come here for a picnic sometime. You could put off the laundry and I could take a day off, right?" Hyung-Chul paraphrases her words from the program segment.

 

"Senior, you still remember my report?" Sun-Mi expresses her surprise.

 

"Of course."

 

"It was so embarrassing, having the hiccups in front of everyone!" she recalls the nervous reaction that had ruined her introduction.

 

"Actually, it was quite endearing," he recalls the feedback reports from the live studio audience. "People saw you as someone like themselves, not perfect, but who still carried on."

 

"I've made so many mistakes, " she thinks back over her brief stint as an announcer. "I suppose you saw all those, too?"

 

"I watched every report you made. If I didn't see it live, I played the tape later," he confesses his diligence at following her progress.

 

"Only a crazy person would do something like that!" she grumbles, but in her heart she is touched by his attentiveness.

 

"Guilty as charged!" he laughs.

 

Maybe I am everything to him, she wonders to herself, amazed, Just like in the song he performed for me tonight.

 

 

They continue walking, in ruminative silence, until they arrive at the open pavilion.

 

Sun-Mi points to the stone arched bridge leading to a small island in the lake. "Before we leave, let's go out there to watch the moonrise."

 

 

As they head toward the bridge, Hyung-Chul releases her hand and slips his arm around Sun-Mi's back.

 

"After that, what do you want to do next?" he asks.

 

Sun-Mi can tell he has something on his mind. "I don't know, what do you want to do?" she yields the prerogative.

 

"We can go back to my place, open a bottle of wine, cuddle up, and watch a movie," he suggests. "How about it?"

 

"You have work tomorrow, it's already late, and you want to watch a movie?" she raises the impracticality of his plan. "By the time we go back, and you send me home and return, you won't have enough sleep. I'll take a taxi from here instead."

 

 

"But I don't want to let you go like this. Stay overnight," he requests. "I'll drop you off on my way to work in the morning."

 

"I don't think it's a good idea, Senior," Sun-Mi declines outright, to his surprise.

 

"Why not? Last time..." he starts to remind her of the night he first proposed and they ended up at his place, sharing his bed.

 

 

"That's something I've wanted to discuss with you," she interrupts. "I hope you won't be upset with me."

 

"Of course not. Go on," he urges her, confident after the molehill of a mountain they had just gotten over.

 

Even with that encouragement, Sun-Mi speaks hesitantly, "I'm sorry, Senior, but it's not just staying over tonight. I don't think I should go to your place at all, anymore..."