AAE -- Twists of Fate

Part 1 -- Chapter 08

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Morning light streams into the two-story atrium where Jin-Soo and Cho-Jeh huddle in a corner, screened by a planter. He spreads a newspaper across their knees. She stares at the banner headline, her freckled face draining of color...

 

'MBS Announcer Jin Sun-Mi Secretly Dating Executive'

 

"A copy was on every desk this morning when we came in," Jin-Soo says, his voice taut. "I got out of there as fast as I could. "

 

"We're doomed," Cho-Jeh wails.

 

"Not if nobody finds out. We can't ever let Sun-Mi know it was us."

 

She looks up at him. "How did she react?"

 

"Sun-Mi didn't say a word -- she just stared at Young-Mi like she was burning a hole through her. Joo-Hee accused Young-Mi of talking with some reporters, and she didn't deny it. If we're lucky, maybe we're in the clear."

 

 

The staccato strike of heels beating on terrazzo draws their attention. They look up to see Sun-Mi bearing down on them, a scowl darkening her face.

 

"Are you sure Sun-Mi doesn't know?" Cho-Jeh whispers. "Why else would she be here?"

 

"Maybe she won't notice us," he whispers back.

 

They turn away to hide their faces -- but are too late. Sun-Mi pivots toward them. She sees the open newspaper.

 

"Cho-Jeh? Jin-Soo? -- You, too?"

 

They turn to face her, trembling.

 

"Sun-Mi, I'm sorry. It wasn't on purpose," Cho-Jeh whimpers, the words spilling out. "But if Jin-Soo hadn't told his reporter friend, it wouldn't have spread so quickly."

 

"What do you mean?" he retorts, his face flushing. "You started this! You were dumb enough to mention her name first."

 

Sun-Mi's eyes widen. "It was you who told about Senior and me?"

 

"It was my first interview, and I was nervous, and the reporter tricked me, and..." Cho-Jeh takes a breath. "Please, don't be angry."

 

Sun-Mi doesn't reply. Her brow wrinkles as she turns on her heel and strides away.

 

Jin-Soo looks at Cho-Jeh. "Is she angry? I couldn't tell."

 

"When Sun-Mi's angry, it's obvious. You don't have to guess," she states. "Let's get out of here. Roof top?"

 

He nods. "Rooftop."

 

 

Sun-Mi leaves the atrium, heading toward the lifts. She walks with her shoulders hunched, arms crossed, her face set into a rigid smile, her gaze fixed on the floor. Every eye turning toward her feels like a glance of derision. Every voice behind her a whisper of gossip. Every person she passes a judge, jury, and executioner.

 

The thought of being in a confined lift, surrounded by probing glares and unspoken accusations is unbearable. She flees to the stairwell and begins the climb up to the sixth floor, her footsteps hollow in the concrete quiet.

 

Sun-Mi takes out her mobile and flips it open. She keys in a number, then puts the phone to her ear.

 

"Meet me in the canteen. Five minutes!" she snaps, then cuts the connection.

 

 

Five minutes later, Sun-Mi charges out of the stairwell into the canteen. Young-Mi is already there, waiting. They face off a pace apart, arms crossed, eyes leveled. Except for the faint hum from the vending machines, the only sound is the distant ding of an arriving lift.

 

"What's so important that you have to call me out?" Young-Mi asks.

 

"Tell me -- what's your motive?" Sun-Mi demands. "In the past, you always denied it was you, so why are you suddenly doing the opposite and accepting the blame?"

 

Young-Mi's laugh is short, mocking. "You're upset about the scandal? Don't you understand? I get what I want."

 

"I know you didn't do it. So why try to make everyone think you did? What are you scheming?"

 

Young-Mi steps closer and clamps her hand onto Sun-Mi's shoulder. "Look closely, Jin Sun-Mi. It's me, Huh Young-Mi." She narrows her eyes, her glare as icy as her voice. "You still don't know me? We'll see who ruins whom first."

 

Sun-Mi swallows. Her mouth opens but no sound comes out. With a sneer, Young-Mi shoves her back and pushes past. She marches toward the Announcers' office, the precise click of her heels echoing through the space.

 

Sun-Mi sits at one of the bistro tables, fists curled and teeth clenched. She stares at Young-Mi's back until her rival rounds the corner and disappears down the corridor. She sucks in a deep breath, then puts her hand to her chest and exhales.

 

Her shoulders slump. She sets her elbows on the table and drops her head into her hands. "Senior," she murmurs. "What am I to do?"