AAE -- Twists of Fate

Part 1 -- Chapter 03

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

The MBS managing staff sit quietly around the long conference table. Rosy dawn light filters through the windows, softening the harsh overhead fluorescents. The heavy odor of vending machine coffee wafts through the room. A junior manager near the foot of the table catches himself mid-yawn, quickly masking it with a light cough and a hand to his mouth.

 

Director of Planning and Programming Yoon Hyung-Chul and Managing Director Kim Eun-Ki occupy the head of the table. Eun-Ki leans back in his chair, a faint sneer on his lips as he listens in.

 

"Regarding the next item -- the facilities budget," Hyung-Chul prompts, his gaze sweeping the faces of the staff. "Any proposals on where to cut expenses?"

 

Silence. Eyes remain fixed on the open folders before them.

 

Eun-Ki leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. "Let's finish this tomorrow instead," he cuts in. "That will allow the team time to work up some options."

 

Heads nod. Shoulders relax. Papers rustle and folders snap shut.

 

Eun-Ki smiles. "You all worked hard. Thank you."

 

The room empties in a chorus of polite bows and the hurried shuffle of foot steps on the terrazzo.

 

 

Eun-Ki swivels in his chair toward Hyung-Chul. "Director Yoon. A minute? You too, Manager Kim."

 

Sun-Dal and Hyung-Chul pause beside their chairs. Hyung-Chul glances at Sun-Dal, and they both sit down.

 

"Who will the next anchor be for the News At Nine after Yoo Joo-Hee?" Eun-Ki asks.

 

Hyung-Chul looks to Sun-Dal. "What did you and the head of Announcer 2 Team decide?"

 

"We narrowed the candidates to one -- Announcer Jin Sun-Mi," Sun-Dal states.

 

Eun-Ki sucks in a long, slow breath. "After what happened in the newsroom, is she suitable for the news desk? Did you consider Announcer Huh Young-Mi?"

 

"She is not popular among the announcer teams," Sun-Dal notes. "Rumors against her are widespread."

 

Eun-Ki shakes his head. "Rumors? How long have you been in this business? Is that all you have?" He looks directly at Hyung-Chul, lifting a corner of his mouth. "Ah... I heard that you and Jin Sun-Mi are rather close, hmm?"

 

Hyung-Chul clears his throat. "There is still time before we have to decide," he replies, keeping his voice level.

 

Eun-Ki chuckles. "If you take her side all the time, it looks suspicious. You should be more discreet." He stands and leaves the room.

 

 

Sun-Dal gives Hyung-Chul a puzzled look. "After choosing Jin Sun-Mi to host Art Club, I thought he'd automatically back her."

 

Hyung-Chul shrugs. "I'm not surprised at all. He'll oppose me, regardless. So it's better I don't come out openly in favor of Sun-Mi."

 

Sun-Dal nods.

 

"Director Kim has a point, though," Hyung-Chul notes. "You shouldn't let rumors keep Announcer Huh from consideration. In any other situation, as anchor of the Seven O'Clock News, she would be the prime candidate."

 

"I'll put Young-Mi on the list. But why was Director Kim so quick to end the meeting? We still had another ten minutes."

 

"As General Manager, Kim treats the facilities budget like his personal property, using it as a slush fund for his pet projects," Hyung-Chul explains. "There was no way he'd let me get a foot in the door."

 

Sun-Dal chuckles dryly. "Then what will Kim do when you become President?"

 

"There's no guarantee that will happen soon, if ever."

 

"Wasn't that the plan when you came back from London?"

 

"That may have been Father's intention, but he doesn't have the only say. Kim has strong backing from a faction of the Board due to his tenure and track record. I'll have to prove myself to sway their votes. And that means no scandals on the Announcer Team. So what exactly are these rumors?"

 

"That Huh Young-Mi was responsible for Cameraman Kim Woo-Jin's death."

 

A look of disbelief crosses Hyung-Chul's face. "How could that be possible?"

 

"A convicted criminal, Bae In-Su, was at the scene, allegedly going for Young-Mi with a knife. When Kim Woo-Jin intervened, he was hit by the truck in the fracas."

 

"Look into the accusations about Bae. Use our contacts with the police, but keep it quiet," Hyung-Chul advises. "The last thing we need is to substantiate the rumor."