AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 2 -- Chapter 26

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

It is 9:30 AM when Sun-Mi, in pajamas and house slippers, trudges into the kitchen where Auntie Jin is seated at the table, reading the previous day's newspaper from Seoul.

 

"Coffee is on," the older woman cheerfully greets her bleary-eyed niece. "I can have breakfast ready in a few minutes."

 

"No thanks, I didn't sleep well. My stomach is feeling upset again today," Sun-Mi declines. "I'll just have some herbal tea to settle it."

 

"Your father called. He wanted to know how you're doing."

 

"If Daddy wants to know that, why didn't he call me directly?"

 

"Because he thinks he'll get the straight story from me," Auntie Jin mildly chides.

 

"Daddy's such a worrywart. He treats me like I'm still a child!" Sun-Mi grumbles. "I don't want him worrying unnecessarily. What did you tell him?"

 

"Nothing. It's not my place," Auntie Jin affirms. "But you've had this bug for several weeks now, shouldn't you see a doctor?"

 

"It's just nerves from work," Sun-Mi puts aside her aunt's concerns. "I'm still not used to the routine here, and I'm under a lot of pressure."

 

"You're working too hard and need to watch your health, or you'll be stressed out and in the hospital again," Auntie Jin scolds, reminding Sun-Mi of the night not that long ago in Seoul when she fainted during a live radio broadcast of her Musical Postcards program.

 

 

Sun-Mi pours hot water from the dispenser on the counter and adds a teabag to steep.

 

"I'm still on probation, so I have to work harder, to prove myself," she sighs. "Yesterday I failed my English assessment review, for the second time! It isn't getting better, no matter how hard I work on it. Like when I failed English in Uni."

 

"You just lack confidence," Auntie Jin tries to encourage her. "With enough practice, eventually you'll master it."

 

 

Sitting down across from her aunt, Sun-Mi dips the teabag. "That's not how Bureau Chief Cha thinks. If I don't show progress, my appointment could be cancelled."

 

"Why is he being so stringent?"

 

"He was expecting Yoo Joo-Hee, not me, so he's not cutting me any slack. Actually, I don't blame him. Instead of a swan for a correspondent, he got an ugly duckling."

 

Auntie Jin is incensed. "You're no ugly duckling! You're my beautiful niece!"

 

"Thanks for the support, but to be realistic, I can't compare to Yoo Joo-Hee," Sun-Mi declares as a matter-of-fact. "She was first in her class and is the top news announcer in Seoul. Everybody loves her!"

 

After a sip of tea, she continues dejectedly, "I was last in mine and got kicked off the news. And people spread terrible rumors about why I wasn't also fired for my mistakes. I'd hoped that by coming here I could make a fresh start. But it's not working out that way."

 

 

Sun-Mi looks up at her aunt dolefully, "Maybe I should give up on a career and just get married!"

 

"That's negative thinking talking after a long week," Auntie Jin states perceptively. "After you've rested up, you'll be more positive. So what are you going to do on your day off?"

 

"I have to work out for a few hours. I've gained almost five pounds since I came here!" Sun-Mi complains.

 

"How can that be?" Auntie Jin scrutinizes her svelte niece. "You don't look an ounce heavier!"

 

Sun-Mi pokes her own soft belly. "I'm getting out of shape, thanks to your good cooking!" she jokes.

 

They share a laugh.

 

"Will you be back for lunch?"

 

"No. I'm going to the church, for the Rosary Confraternity meeting," Sun-Mi explains. "The women were so nice to invite me in praying the rosary with them, even though I'm not a Catholic yet. Afterward, I'm seeing Father Kim for my next RCIA lesson."

 

"You're really serious about becoming Catholic? Is it that important to delay marrying Director Yoon?"

 

"I promised his deceased mother for her blessing. And God, too. I'd be a hypocrite not to follow through."

 

"A year is a long time, when you're not living together," Auntie Jin warns. "A man has physical desires, and there are a lot of beautiful women who would use any means to snatch him if they could."

 

"I know, Auntie. I saw it happen for myself in Seoul. But Senior was always faithful to me, even after I broke off with him and said I might marry another man. I can trust him to wait. He won't betray me!" Sun-Mi is insistent. "But you said we were right for each other before. Why are you questioning him now?"

 

Auntie Jin shows Sun-Mi the newspaper article she had just read, displaying photos of Hyung-Chul and Young-Mi. "Look at this."

 

 

Sun-Mi's eyes pop when she reads the headline ...

 

MBS Director Linked to Announcer's Suicide Attempt

 

"This insinuates Director Yoon had a secret, illicit affair with Announcer Huh Young-Mi. You know her, Sun-Mi, don't you?"

 

"Of course!" Sun-Mi replies, appalled at the false story. "But they've twisted things around. Huh Young-Mi tried, but Senior NEVER had a relationship with that woman!"

 

"According to the article, he first promised her the News At Nine anchor in exchange for sexual favors," Auntie Jin gives a quick summation of the purported scandal. "But when he dumped her and the anchor position went to someone else, she attempted suicide by drowning, and is now in an institution with severe mental loss."

 

Auntie Jin places the folded paper in front of Sun-Mi. "Here, read it for yourself."

 

Fuming, Sun-Mi tosses the newspaper into the nearby rubbish bin.

 

"I don't need to read lies!" she retorts, grabbing her mobile to make a call...

 

 

Hyung-Chul picks up after the second ring.

 

"Good morning. Did you sleep well?"

 

 

Sun-Mi is in no mood for small talk. "Senior, it's terrible! The newspaper..." she blurts out.

 

"I've already seen it," he informs her. "My lawyer will demand a retraction. It's nothing to be concerned about."

 

"But... won't it affect your new job?"

 

"The company has to investigate any reasonable allegations," he acknowledges, then assures her, "But my boss John White was clear that without solid evidence there'd be no repercussions. You don't need to worry."

 

Sun-Mi frets anyway. "What if Joo-Hee's father doesn't give up, and there's more stories like this?"

 

"I said not to worry. There's something else I want to tell you." Hyung-Chul switches to a more positive subject. "The solicitor called, and my offer on the flat was accepted. We have our new home now."

 

"Really!? That's fantastic!" Sun-Mi is ecstatic. "Thank God!"

 

"We can move in the first of next month."

 

"You mean, I can move in," Sun-Mi corrects him with a firm voice. "You already have your own place. Besides, we're redecorating, and I'll be able to stay on top of things," she pitches her rationale. "Plus it will be closer to my work, right?"

 

"Okay, you move in," Hyung-Chul readily agrees, happy if she is happy.

 

"Then it's settled," she cements the decision. "So how are we going to celebrate?"

 

"How does ramen sound?" he teases, a wink back to their 'first official date' in Seoul.

 

"Humph! It sounds like ... you're trying to get off cheap!" she pouts.

 

"Just so you know, I made reservations at OXO Tower," Hyung-Chul reveals his plans. "They have live music tonight, too. Better?"

 

"Are you making fun of me?" Sun-Mi replies, feigning irritation. "If you're going to be like that, I can cancel our dinner any time I want!"

 

"You're being funny," he laughs off her sham annoyance. "Pick you up at seven?"

 

"Uh-huh. I'll be waiting," she coos.

 

"Then, see you later, sweetheart."

 

"See ya..."

 

Starry eyed and smiling happily, Sun-Mi rings off with a blissful sigh.

 

 

Auntie Jin laughs. "You two are so cute."

 

"Huh?" Focused on her call with Hyung-Chul, Sun-Mi had forgotten her aunt was there, listening in on their entire exchange. Blushing scarlet, she quickly drains her teacup and stands.

 

"I'm leaving first."

 

"Will I see you this afternoon, before I go to the restaurant?"

 

 

"Probably not. After I finish at the church, I'm shopping for a new outfit."

 

"Why?" Auntie Jin wonders. "Isn't your closet already bulging with new clothes?"

 

"It's not everyday that you buy a new house," Sun-Mi explains. "Plus, our 100th day anniversary is coming soon, and I want something special for that occasion, too."

 

"You're not just making up excuses to go shopping, are you?" her aunt questions suspiciously.

 

"So what if I am?" Sun-Mi laughs, "Isn't shopping good therapy for stress?"