AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 3 -- Chapter 10

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

"The decision was out of my hands," John White explains the situation straightforwardly, "Effective next week, Nigel Blackwater will be CEO of the new spinoff, and most of his current management team is coming with him. Rather than bring you on-board, he decided that he has no further need for your consultative services."

 

Across the desk, Hyung-Chul sits back in his chair, stunned. "Was it my performance?" he looks for a reason, "Some way I don't measure up?"

 

"No, your work was exemplary, and your grasp of the Asian markets essential to get us to this point," John commends him. "But for the VP slot, they wanted someone with more experience in managing a growing enterprise in the UK business environment."

 

"You mean, they don't want a foreigner managing Brits," Hyung-Chul bluntly concludes, reading between the lines.

 

"I did my best. I'm sorry it wasn't enough," John replies regretfully. "But there's a lot of old-fashioned thinking still here."

 

"I don't blame you, John. Sometimes reality bites," Hyung-Chul gracefully accepts his unexpected fate.

 

 

"I'd like that you stay on for a few weeks, through the transition," John requests. "I know it won't be easy, training your replacement, but I'm asking as a personal favor. A smooth spinoff will look good for my future."

 

"You stepped out on a limb to give me the chance, so of course I'll do my best for you, too," Hyung-Chul assures him.

 

"Let's keep in touch," John signals that their meeting is finished.

 

 

They both stand. John steps around the desk to approach Hyung-Chul.

 

Hyung-Chul grasps his extended hand, and they earnestly shake.

 

"Good luck."

 

"Thanks."

 

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

That night at home, Hyung-Chul goes through the bills at his study desk. He punches the numbers into the calculator as he pages methodically through the stack -- mortgage, residence fees, council taxes, utilities, insurance, cash receipts, credit card statements -- working up to the final tally of expenses.

 

Next, he apprises their assets -- bank accounts, stocks and bonds held in both London and Seoul markets, net property equity, his cars, Sun-Mi's jewelry -- compiling a comparable total.

 

Comparing the two, he sees how bleak their financial future will be if he doesn't find another job, soon.

 

Briefly, he entertains the idea of appealing to Joo-Hee for his old position at MBS, but besides the personal humiliation, that would open a whole other can of worms concerning Sun-Mi's father's legal status. As long as Joo-Hee's father held his grudge, there was no going back. Without the possibility of retreat, he would have to succeed or fail here.

 

He reaches for his suit jacket, taking out the pack of cigarettes kept handy in the inside pocket. He taps one out, and is about to light up, when he remembers Sun-Mi's prohibition on smoking in the house.

 

At loose ends, he rubs his throbbing temple. A couple of pints at a pub on his way home hadn't eased the headache stemming from his stressful day in the office. And now the added weight of potential insolvency is cranking up the pressure.

 

He sighs, asking himself, "How will I tell Sun-Mi, without disappointing her? She was counting so much on this."

 

 

The click of the front door latch catches his attention. Quickly, he gathers up the papers and stuffs them into a drawer.

 

"Senior, I'm home!" Sun-Mi cheerfully announces her arrival.

 

"I'm in the study," he calls back, locking the desk.

 

 

He comes out, meeting Sun-Mi in the corridor. She is loaded down with a half-dozen shopping bags.

 

"Did you eat yet?" she asks.

 

"I got your text, so I stopped for Thai coming back from the office."

 

"Sorry you had to fend for yourself, but the fitting took longer than I expected."

 

"What fitting?"

 

"My new outfit for the soiree," she explains."Let me show you."

 

"But, Sun-Mi..."

 

"No buts! I'll just be a minute to change."

 

She closes the door in his face.

 

 

Fifteen minutes later, Hyung-Chul is slouched on the living room couch, nursing a tumbler of Johnnie Walker neat, mentally wrestling with how to break the bad news, when he hears the crisp tapping of high heels on the hardwood floor.

 

Sashaying into the room like a model on a catwalk, Sun-Mi smoothly pivots to show off her new dress.

 

"How do I look?" she asks, beaming with pride over the results of her successful shopping trip.

 

The knee-length, figure-hugging ivory sheath shimmers with silver beading sprinkled in swirls over the bodice. Thin shoulder straps and a daringly low, scooped neckline bare her shoulders, nape, and decolletege. And the tapered skirt, slit high on one side, provides a tantalizing view of one shapely thigh as Sun-Mi holds her pose, anticipating his enthusiastic response...

 

But preoccupied with his own brooding, Hyung-Chul pays her scant attention, answering perfunctorily, "Lovely, my Dear."

 

 

Unfazed, she moves closer, launching into the details of her 'score'...

 

"After spending all day shopping for a dress and finding nothing, I stopped to browse at the Oscar De La Renta boutique, just a few blocks from here. Usually their prices are way out of my range, but I spied this dress, from this year's Spring/Summer ready-to-wear collection, on the sale rack.

 

"It was a steal at 50% off, including a fitting! And the seamstress was so nice, staying after hours to do the alterations," she yatters on perkily, "While I waited, the saleswoman helped me select these shoes and clutch, and this necklace and earrings, to complete the perfect look!"

 

 

He nods, remarking absentmindedly, "That's nice."

 

 

Miffed, Sun-Mi stomps her foot to get his attention, complaining, "Senior? Did you hear I word that I said?"

 

Marching across the room, she plops herself down on the couch next to him so he can't ignore her.

 

 

Pushing his troubled thoughts aside for the moment, Hyung-Chul counters her charge of inattention, "So you paid only 2000 pounds, instead of 4000?"

 

"Actually, it was 2500 pounds," she states the correct amount.

 

He quickly skims over her ensemble, mentally calculating estimated prices for the white gold drop earrings and flat chain necklace sparkling with Swarowski crystals, the silver satin evening clutch in her right hand, and her glittery platinum lame sandals.

 

"And for everything else, about 5000?" he tosses a hastily summed total out.

 

"It was closer to 4500," she clarifies defensively, "I know enough to ask for discounts!"

 

"So while you waited for the 'free' alterations on your 2500 pound 'steal', you were being fleeced of another 4500 or so on their overpriced accessories," he sarcastically disparages her acumen, "How naïve can a person be!"

 

 

The smile drops from Sun-Mi's face. "You're scolding me! This isn't like you, Senior..."

 

Usually one to indulge her foibles with at most a forbearing reproof, he had never rebuked her so severely, except when they'd disagreed over the retrenchments at MBS. Coupled with his abnormal preoccupation, she begins to suspect that something is afoot.

 

"What is it you're not telling me?" she reaches out. "Did something happen at work?"

 

 

"I was just saying, that they took advantage with a successful upselling hustle," Hyung-Chul skirts the question.

 

"Even though it cost a bit much, it's worth it!" Sun-Mi blusters back, annoyed. "This is the first social event, and I need to look perfect," she justifies the purchase. "I don't want you to be embarrassed."

 

"How would you embarrass me?"

 

"You wouldn't believe what sharp tongues those executive's wives have!" she grumbles, "They pounce on the slightest fashion faux pas like a pack of hungry wolves."

 

"Forget them. They're just jealous because you look so young and pretty," Hyung-Chul jokes to lighten her mood, "When I show my colleagues your picture, they rib me for 'robbing the cradle'."

 

But Sun-Mi doesn't crack a smile.

 

"It's not just that. I'm treated like an idiot with their snide remarks, assuming because my English is so poor, I don't understand," she recalls the snubs at previous social engagements, anger and hurt showing in her eyes. "It's like I'm still back in Seoul, when everyone said I was slow and clumsy because I made so many mistakes."

 

"You can't take it to heart," he counsels, "People who ignorantly put others down are covering their own insecurities. Anyone who knows you well feels differently."

 

After Sun-Mi had resigned due to repeated failures in passing her English assessments, Hyung-Chul suggested she be tested. The results confirmed a superior IQ, but also diagnosed dyslexia. The condition explained both her penchant for making errors in her work, and her inability to master even the basics of an opaque foreign language like English.

 

 

"Regardless, I don't want anyone dissing my husband because of me," Sun-Mi is firm. "You deserved this promotion."

 

Now that she had brought up the subject, Hyung-Chul decides it is time to break the news. "Actually, about that, there's been a problem..."

 

But Sun-Mi runs ahead of him. "Your promotion is being delayed, right, and your raise?" she guesses, tying the disparate pieces together, "That's why you were so concerned over my spending?"

 

"Well ... not exactly," he hesitates in saying more, feeling her out cautiously first. "Are you disappointed?"

 

"A little. Finally, I thought I could hold up my head to those old biddies," she grouses. "And what am I going to say to the ladies at the church? They were boasting about their husbands, so I couldn't hold back about you, too."

 

She looks at him hopefully. "You will still get the position eventually, right?"

 

"Of course," he lies, not wanting to disappoint her further by the truth. "It's just taking longer than expected to complete the spinoff. But you don't need to be concerned. Things will work out soon."

 

"I know. I can always count on you," she replies, the worry in her face dissipating. "I was just overreacting, as usual. I'll be fine at the church and the soiree."

 

"Actually, the soiree was cancelled, due to the delay," he tells her, covering his first lie with another.

 

"Oh... should I return everything I bought today?"

 

"Why? The dress made you happy, and you look beautiful in it," he praises her, "There'll be another event you can wear it, right?"

 

 

Sun-Mi ponders for a moment, then smiles brightly, "Of course! The London Philharmonic's annual fundraising gala!"

 

She leans closer to give him an affectionate peck on the cheek. "Thank you, for letting me keep the dress. I really do love it."

 

 

Hyung-Chul smiles in relief, having dodged a bullet -- for now. Having this moment with Sun-Mi, holding her contentedly in his arms, looking into her eyes shining with happiness, all his troubles fade to insignificance in comparison. He can deal with them another day.

 

"I'll give my all to keep you happy, Sun-Mi," he recommits to himself, his vow to cherish and protect her. "Whatever happens, whatever it takes, you have to be happy."