AAE -- Twists of Fate

Part 1 -- Chapter 04

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

The MBS Announcer 1 Team office hums with morning energy. Lee Kyung-Hee and Shin Ki-Jong are conferring over a notebook he holds. Yoo Joo-Hee reviews a draft of the evening news script. The junior staff is gathered at the work table, making small talk before their 9 AM shift starts, except Choi Jin-Soo, who is browsing last night's sports scores on his laptop, taking notes.

 

Sun-Mi walks in the open doorway. "Good morning," she says with her habitual lilt as she heads for her desk.

 

Everyone turns to look as she sets her leather tote down and gathers some papers from her desk.

 

Choi Jin-Soo smiles. "Congratulations!"

 

Sun-Mi wrinkles her brow. "For what?"

 

"You're a candidate for the News At Nine," Lee Kyung-Hee says.

 

"Me?"

 

Shin Ki-Jong nods, grinning.

 

Sun-Mi looks at Yoo Joo-Hee. "Me?" She chortles. "No way!"

 

"It's true," Joo-Hee replies. "I recommended you."

 

Seated at her desk, Young-Mi scowls.

 

 

Sun-Dal strides into the office. "Heads up, everyone!" He pauses to catch his breath, then announces, "We have added a second candidate for the News At Nine." Turning to Young-Mi, he gestures toward her. "Announcer Huh, congratulations!"

 

Young-Mi stands, her smile stiff. She steps closer to Sun-Mi and extends her hand. "Since it's just you and me, let's shake hands on it, Sun-Mi."

 

Sun-Mi keeps her eyes on the papers in her hands. "Shake? I'd rather not touch you."

 

Young-Mi drops her hand. "Are you so arrogant because you think everyone is on your side?"

 

Kyung-Hee steps forward, arms folded. "What are you accusing your Seniors of?" she asks, her voice stern.

 

"I didn't realize you regarded me as your Junior," Young-Mi snaps, her eyes narrowing.

 

Shocked, Kyung-Hee recoils.

 

With a perfunctory nod to Sun-Dal, Young-Mi turns her back and marches out of the office.

 

 

Joo-Hee rises and approaches Sun-Dal. "We need to talk. Now."

 

They go to the nearby canteen. Usually busy during break times, it is deserted this early in the morning.

 

"What is it?" he asks.

 

"When was Huh Young-Mi added to the candidates list?"

 

"The decision came down this morning."

 

Joo-Hee frowns. "Without consulting me first? Shouldn't you consider the previous anchor's preference?"

 

"You don't like it? The last time you were opposed to Sun-Mi. Now you're supporting her over Young-Mi?"

 

"Before, Sun-Mi wasn't ready," Joo-Hee replies. "I've been training her personally and feel confident she can handle it now."

 

"Better than Young-Mi?"

 

"I didn't say that."

 

"Then what?"

 

"You've heard the rumors, haven't you?" Joo-Hee asks.

 

"That Young-Mi is somehow responsible for Cameraman Kim Woo-Jin's death? You don't actually believe that, do you?"

 

"Lately, Young-Mi has been acting differently than before. More on edge. Something isn't right."

 

"What is right is that the Seven O'clock News is up two points," Sun-Dal declares. "Also, I've noticed that Young-Mi is acting less arrogant than before. Perhaps Cameraman Kim's death has softened her. They were close once, you know. Maybe she's becoming more human after all."