AAE -- Twists of Fate

Part 1 -- Chapter 07

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Hyung-Chul sits at his desk, his briefcase resting on the floor where he dropped it. He stares at the headline splashed across the front page of the morning sports daily:

 

'MBS Executive Director and Announcer Romance'

'Jin Sun-Mi Heads for the 9:00 P.M. News with Lover's Help'

 

He snatches up the desk phone and barks, "Miss Lee, tell Manager Kim I want to see him. ASAP."

 

"Yes, Director."

 

Setting the receiver back in its cradle, he leans his elbows on the desk. He massages his forehead, listening to the steady tick of the wall clock behind him.

 

The phone rings. He picks it up.

 

"The Chairman is on the line, Director," Miss Lee says. "Are you in?"

 

He hesitates, drumming his fingers, then says, "Put him through."

 

He hears a click, then his father's voice. "Did you see the news?"

 

"Staring me in the face," Hyung-Chul answers.

 

"This won't look good to the Board. What do you intend to do about it?"

 

A thin grin crosses Hyung-Chul's face. "Marry her?"

 

"Enough joking. This is serious," Hoe-Jang says. "It's the opening Director Kim was waiting for."

 

"I'm not interested in playing his game," Hyung-Chul replies. "I'd rather play mine. Besides, part of it is true. I do love her."

 

"A relationship is one thing. Nepotism is another. See to it that the News At Nine goes to anyone except Announcer Jin," Hoe-Jang orders.

 

Hyung-Chul pauses, then replies, his voice firm, "That's up to the committee. I won't stand in her way, even if it costs me the votes."

 

"I know that's how you feel, now," Hoe-Jang says, his tone softer. "I just hope you won't regret it later."

 

"If you knew Sun-Mi like I do, you'd understand. She has the potential to be truly great. I want to see her achieve her dreams -- every one of them."

 

Hoe-Jang sighs. "Whatever you decide, I'll support you."

 

"Thank you, Father."

 

"Keep me informed."

 

"I will. Goodbye."

 

The line goes dead, and Hyung-Chul hangs up the receiver.

 

 

A sharp knock sounds on the door.

 

"Come in."

 

Sun-Dal enters. The door swings shut with a soft click.

 

"What's so important that you called me out of the Eve's Morning planning meeting?"

 

Hyung-Chul points with a pen at the headline. "You saw this?"

 

Sun-Dal sits on the desk side chair. "Everyone has. The station's buzzing."

 

"And Sun-Mi?"

 

"Joo-Hee said she left the Announcer office in a white fury and isn't answering her phone."

 

"Any idea who leaked? The details show this is more than pure speculation -- someone inside fed this."

 

Sun-Dal shrugs. "It could be anyone. Reporters have been nosing around this story for some time. And you two weren't exactly the model of discretion."

 

Hyung-Chul nods. "That's fair... but I'm worried about Sun-Mi."

 

"Once the shock is over, she'll be fine. It isn't her first scandal, you know."

 

"Still, I want to delay the committee's decision until this is resolved."

 

"That won't go over well. It's only a few weeks to the new season, and PR needs to lock in before then."

 

"Just find a way," Hyung-Chul insists. "I don't want this to impact Sun-Mi's chances."

 

"It already has. You can't undo a story that's been written."

 

"Then we will overwrite it with a better story."

 

"Like what?"

 

Hyung-Chul leans forward, tapping a pen on the desk. "I don't know. That's why I called you up here -- to help me figure it out."