AAE -- For Better For Worse

Part 3 -- Chapter 39

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

'And you think I'm that person?' -- Sun-Mi's words linger between her and Sun-Dal.

 

She sets her cup down. "What stories has Senior been telling?"

 

He chuckles, a touch uneasy. "I remember how you used to say that your reason for becoming a news announcer was to bring good news to people, and give them renewed hope."

 

"Yes, I was a naïve rookie then," she admits with a twisted smile. "And it turned out I wasn't very good at that, was I?"

 

"But Musical Postcards and Art Club were ratings hits," he counters. "You just needed to find your niche. I'm offering a primetime talk show. You'll have complete content control -- topics, guests, everything."

 

Sun-Mi shakes her head. "I can't take on such a demanding program right now. Besides, how would society look at it? A married woman with children, who wants her own career, too?"

 

"Exactly, a working mother -- who succeeds. What better example for housewives and businesswomen than someone who challenges the status quo holding women back?"

 

"I see your point. But I have three children, and another coming in a few months. I'll have to nurse. I know the drill. I'm not going to put their well-being second to a career, regardless of the benefits to society."

 

"But MBS is a different workplace now, thanks to Joo-Hee's initiatives. More women in leadership. More employees are mothers. We allow nursing breaks, have installed on-site daycare facilities with professional nannies -- or your own -- and we subsidise a kindergarten nearby. You'd be minutes away from your children."

 

She looks down into her cup. "I don't know. This doesn't feel right. Not at this time. I'm sorry."

 

He nods slowly. "I understand. But you can't blame me for trying. MBS hasn't been the same since you left."

 

Sun-Mi laughs. "This isn't like you -- such kind words. Maybe you'll convince me yet."

 

Sun-Dal grins. "Being married, I've learned a thing or two. But don't decide now. Think it over, and get back to me."

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

The hush of the President's office hangs dead in the air. Sensing Hyung-Chul's focus, Joo-Hee's hand involuntarily moves to fondle her pendant.

 

"The past is in the past," he says, his voice restrained. "The present is what it is. Nothing will change."

 

"And the future?" she asks...

 

"We can decide the future as we choose."

 

"Our son is nineteen. He's coming back from Harvard this summer. I gave him your letters before he left. Lately he asked about seeing you," she says, studying his face. "What will you choose?"

 

He raises his brow. "Does this have something to do with your offer?"

 

"Seung-Hyun is majoring in digital business management. He plans to intern with MBS this summer."

 

"And you want me to mentor him?"

 

"A son should know his father."

 

"Seung-Hyun has a father."

 

"Sun-Dal agreed to this..."

 

A mobile notification buzzes from inside Joo-Hee's blazer. She glances down, but doesn't reach for it.

 

"It was never my intention to keep you from your son."

 

 

"I know. I don't hold anything against you. I'm grateful for the chance to finally meet him face to face. But stop deflecting. What's this all about?"

 

Joo-Hee sighs. "Now that we can all be together, I find myself wondering -- what if it had been me, instead of her? What might've been our future? I love my husband, my family, my work, but... would I be happier, more fulfilled, as Mrs. Yoon Hyung-Chul?"

 

 

Tears mist her eyes. She straightens, then steps closer.

 

"That day, when you came to tell me our engagement was off, we never had a private moment to end things cleanly."

 

She swallows, her eyes imploring. "I know it's out of bounds, but... could you hold me? Just for five minutes?"

 

He raises a hand between them. "Joo-Hee..."

 

 

"That's all I'm asking. The chance to cry my heart out on your shoulder. I know it seems silly, but then I can put everything behind me, and move on."

 

She reaches out, fingers closing around his sleeve.

 

"Please -- for our son's sake -- if not mine."

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Leaving Sun-Dal's office, Sun-Mi murmurs to herself. "Even with daycare... can I do it?"

 

She turns down the corridor, toward the Presidential Suite.

 

"Why worry? Senior said we'll talk it over, and then I can decide."

 

She nods, a small smile forming.

 

 

Coming to the corner office, she notices the secretary's desk is empty.

 

"That's odd, even if it is a holiday," she muses. "Miss Lee never took a day off when she worked for Senior."

 

 

The door is open. Sun-Mi steps inside -- then freezes. Her hand flies to her mouth to stifle a gasp.

 

Stunned, trembling, Sun-Mi backs out. She stumbles into the corridor -- her heart racing, struggling for breath. She leans her back against the cool paneling and slides down into a crouch, face buried in her hands.

 

Slowly, the trembling stills. Her flushed cheeks cool. The fog clears from her mind.

 

She looks up at the doorplate. Her hand curls into a fist. Her eyes narrow. She pulls out her mobile and methodically punches in a number, then puts the phone to her ear.

 

Sun-Dal answers on the first ring. "Yes, Sun-Mi?"

 

"Uncle?... I've reconsidered. I'll accept your offer for Lee Kyung-Hee's program slot."

 

"Great! I'll schedule your orientation with Personnel."

 

"And..." She hesitates, bites down on her lower lip, then says firmly, "About the Team Leader position? I'll take that, too."

 

 

Silence, then Sun-Dal's voice, puzzled. "Are you sure? What about the baby?"

 

"Of course, I'll need an assistant for the month I take off to give birth," she stipulates.

 

He draws in a long breath. "Okay, the job is yours. Anything else?"

 

 

Sun-Mi looks up, briefly closes her eyes, and mutters, "Lord, give me Your strength."

 

"Excuse me?" Sun-Dal's voice interrupts. "What was that?"

 

"Nothing... But I want you to know, I'm putting in my application as next seasons' News At Nine female anchor."

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

Joo-Hee clings to Hyung-Chul, her arms looped around his neck, her face buried in his shoulder. Slowly, lightly, he pats her back.

 

"One more minute," he says gently.

 

"Thanks."

 

His mobile buzzes. "Sorry, I have to check this."

 

 

He reaches into his pocket, flips the phone open, and glances at the screen. Seeing the text, he stiffens.

 

Joo-Hee feels his body tense. "What is it, Hyung-Chul?"

 

"That was Sun-Mi," he says, a note of panic in his voice. "She's on her way here."

 

"Omigod!" Joo-Hee hisses, abruptly letting go of him.

 

He hands her his handkerchief. She turns away, dabbing at her cheeks. The seconds tick by as she fumbles with the buttons of her blazer.

 

A rap sounds on the door.

 

Drawing a deep breath, Joo-Hee fastens the last button and smooths her lapels just as Sun-Mi enters. She turns, arms folded, and calmly watches Sun-Mi march straight toward her.

 

Hyung-Chul moves to interdict. "Sun-Mi..."

 

She glances sharply at him. He backs off.

 

Placing herself between Hyung-Chul and Joo-Hee, Sun-Mi tilts her head back slightly until their eyes are level -- pearls to diamond, cloud gray to raven black, pointed-toe stiletto to pointed-toe stiletto.

 

Joo-Hee looks down at her with thinly veiled condescension. "Jin Sun-Mi. What a surprise."

 

A placid smile barely warms the chill in Sun-Mi's reply. "Hello, President Yoo. Best wishes for the New Year."

 

Joo-Hee's gaze drops to Sun-Mi's baby bump, her mouth curving in a smirk. "Hyung-Chul told me you were expecting. Number four, right? When's the due date?"

 

"August."

 

"The last time we spoke, you despaired of ever having one. It seems you've finally found a way to surpass me. Congratulations."

 

Sun-Mi's smile hardens. "Thank you, President."

 

"So, what brings you here today?"

 

Sun-Mi's gaze is steady, her tone firm. "I wanted you to know I'm back -- and this time, I'm not running away."