AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 3 -- Chapter 27

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Through the hotel room door, Sun-Mi hears the chime.

 

A muffled male voice answers. "It's open."

 

She draws a deep breath, turns the handle, and steps inside. The door clicks shut behind her.

 

 

Sun-Mi walks slowly into the reception room of the expansive suite, her footsteps silent on the plush carpeting. The low sun floods the room with a golden hue through a wall of glass. A man stands at the windows, silhouetted in the light, highball glass in his hand.

 

He continues looking out at the view of Tower Bridge, his back to her.

 

She curls her fingers around the strap of her tote, to keep her hand from shaking. "Mr. Park Chul-Ho?" she asks, straining to keep her voice steady. "I'm Nicole. Manager Chin sent me."

 

He turns to face her. "I know who you are, Announcer Jin Sun-Mi."

 

Sun-Mi blinks, stunned. "How...?"

 

 

Eyes narrowed, Chul-Ho slowly looks Sun-Mi over from head to toe and back again, a smug curl on his lip, his steely gaze searching, penetrating. Her skin crawls at its touch, sending an involuntary shiver scrambling down her back.

 

"Let's just say, your reputation found it's way back to Seoul," he smirks. "The question now is -- given what happened this morning, if you intend to fulfill the contract arranged with Manager Chin?"

 

"That depends. I wasn't privy to the negotiations," she replies coolly. "What were the terms?"

 

"Two weeks of resident companionship, 24-7. Full 'services' on demand. Expenses included."

 

He moves closer -- near enough to touch if he wanted. At six feet four inches and 250 pounds, his lean bulk dominates Sun-Mi's petite frame. The rank smell of alcohol on his breath assaults her nostrils. His bloodshot eyes leer into her face.

 

She is alone, defenseless. No one knows she is here.

 

Her body stiffens as she fights the urge to step back, out of his reach. Instead, she squares her shoulders and straightens her back, rising slightly on her toes for maximum height as she stares back into his face. "And the total?"

 

"£20,000."

 

Sun-Mi holds out her hand, locking her elbow. "May I see the contract?"

 

Chul-Ho steps closer. Raises his hand, as if to grab her. Sun-Mi feels the heat pouring off his body in the air conditioned room. But instead he reaches into his suit jacket, takes out a folded document, and gives it to her.

 

She quickly scans it -- Hyung-Chul was right. They pimped her out -- one step at a time. And she trusted Judith! -- Then she crumples the contract in her fist, raising her eyes defiantly...

 

"Rubbish!" she retorts, tossing the it aside. "Now that the middleman is out of the way, you're dealing directly with me!"

 

 

Chul-Ho blinks. He takes a small step back. "What are you proposing?"

 

"Off-premises companionship only. Maximum eight hours a day. Sundays off," she states, her voice unyielding. "Plus private transportation and related expenses, including attire as required."

 

He raises an eyebrow. "Attire?"

 

"If it's a formal event, I need to dress appropriately." She flicks her eyes coyly at him. "A diamond to glitter on your arm, over mere bling."

 

His expression softens. He nods. "And your rate?"

 

"£250 per hour, non-negotiable. For the actual time we spend together."

 

Chul-Ho's eyes pop. "But... that's five times the original rate!"

 

"And worth every penny," Sun-Mi replies, her lips curving into a confident smile. "And as for 'services' -- Mine are NOT for sale, at any time, or price."

 

He takes another step back, out of her personal space. The tension in his body and voice drops. "You strike a hard bargain, Ms Jin. Almost as if you don't want this job."

 

"Manager Chin had his intentions. I have mine." Sun-Mi folds her arms. "Take it or leave it."

 

 

A familiar voice interrupts from behind her. "That's enough, Mr. Park."

 

Sun-Mi spins around. Her breath catches. "Chairman Yoon?"

 

Instantly, a wave of heat explodes, turning her face crimson.

 

Yoon Hoe-Jang smiles gently. "It's good to see you again, Daughter-in-law."

 

"I'm sorry. You must think..." She trails off.

 

"Come, let's sit. Your face is flushed from the heat. Mr. Park, get my guest a cold drink, please."

 

She follows Hoe-Jang to the couch. He takes the adjacent chair. Mr. Park goes to the bar, pours two glasses of juice, then delivers them silently.

 

"Thank you." Hoe-Jang nods. "You may go now."

 

 

Sun-Mi takes a long sip, then exhales. "You must be very disappointed with me."

 

"Disappointed?" He chuckles. "On the contrary, I'm impressed."

 

Sun-Mi gapes. "B-but... how can you say that? You know what I've done. What I am."

 

"You mean, a woman who did what she had to do, to survive? Or someone who has worked diligently to master her craft and achieved success? Tell me, what exactly have you done wrong?"

 

She lowers her eyes. "I shamed my husband."

 

"He shamed himself. You gave yourself. Cared for him, when you could've walked away and returned to Seoul. That's loyalty. That's love."

 

"But, the contract. My coming here today."

 

"As you said, Manager Chin had his intentions. Yours were clearly different, a measure of your integrity. I couldn't be prouder to have you as my daughter-in-law."

 

Sun-Mi raises her eyes again. "Thank you."

 

 

"Now, I suppose you have questions?"

 

She nods. "How did you come to be here?"

 

"A business acquaintance informed me that Manager Chin was fishing, throwing your name out as bait. I asked him to look into it. He confirmed several months ago it was you working at the club here. So I had him set up this appointment."

 

"Then Manager Chin didn't know it was you?"

 

"No. I arrived in London a few days ago, and had Mr. Park, a private investigator, dig into Manager Chin's operations. Once I had enough evidence, I contacted the police."

 

"Then it was your doing that the club was closed?"

 

"Anonymously, of course."

 

"But I heard it was an inside informer."

 

He smiles. "Money has a way of changing allegiances."

 

 

Sun-Mi nods. "Now it's clear. God did perform a miracle. Through you."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"Just... Nothing. Thank you, Father."

 

"I understand you're struggling financially. May I help?"

 

She shakes her head, "Thanks, but we'll be fine. Senior is starting a new job tomorrow."

 

"Oh? Doing what?"

 

"He won't say. I'll know more in a few days."

 

 

Sun-Mi sets her glass down. "I should be going now."

 

"So soon? We've barely spoken."

 

"Senior will probably be wondering what happened to me."

 

"Then, perhaps another time? I'll be in London a few more days to see the sights. I could use a knowledgeable tour guide."

 

"I'd like that."

 

"£250 per hour, per your terms?"

 

Sun-Mi laughs. "For family, gratis. Just cover our expenses."

 

"But I insist. I just ended your job. You must need something to tide you over until my son gets his first paycheck. Your time has value, right?"

 

"According to Senior, spending time with me is priceless!" She grins. "But I can accept tips."

 

"Tomorrow, 11:00?"

 

"That should work," Sun-Mi agrees.

 

"Hyung-Chul mustn't know I'm here."

 

"I understand. I won't say a word."

 

She stands. "Oh... one last thing. But keep it quiet, please."

 

"Of course. What is it?"

 

"If God blesses us, in six months, you'll be a grandfather..."