AAE -- Twists of Fate

Part 1 -- Chapter 15

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Sun-Mi emerges from the taxi into a sheet of rain, her beige open-toe slingbacks stepping straight into a puddle. She braces an umbrella against the wind in one hand, while clutching large plum-colored plastic shopping bags with the other.

 

The taxi drives off with a splash as she pushes through the gate. A sudden gust of wind whips Sun-Mi's skirt around her legs and snaps the ribs of her umbrella inside-out with a crunch of metal, inverting the canopy into a useless skeleton. Dropping the umbrella, she shields her eyes with her palm and picks her way across the lawn, eyes focused on the slippery grass and uneven flagstone path, planting her high heels solidly before taking each step.

 

By the time Sun-Mi reaches the shelter of the front porch, her clothes are drenched -- the light summer shirt and skirt cling to her skin. Her freshly trimmed and permed hair is plastered against her head.

 

"You finally came." The voice -- soft, familiar, and unexpected -- startles Sun-Mi.

 

She looks up to see Young-Mi standing on the porch, dressed in a light blue pantsuit, soaked to the skin.

 

"Young-Mi? Why are you here?"

 

"To congratulate you," Young-Mi answers. "And... to apologize." Her eyes flick down to the glossy bags emblazoned with the gold Kay Kim logo. "Kay Kim? I see you've already moved up in the world."

 

Sun-Mi flushes. "Yoo Joo-Hee said I needed to adapt my style. I'm still not sure about it."

 

Young-Mi shrugs. "Do we have a choice?" She glances toward the door. "Aren't you going to invite me in, for tea?"

 

With an amused grin, Sun-Mi shakes her head at Young-Mi's audacity. "Sure. Come in. I'll find something dry you can change into."

 

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

A half-hour later, Sun-Mi steps out of the downstairs bathroom, showered and changed into a short-sleeve knit shirt and simple skirt. She pats her damp hair dry with a towel.

 

Footsteps descend the stairs. Young-Mi appears in a long-sleeve pullover and slacks. When she sees Sun-Mi, she turns away and moves to the living room, where she settles onto one of the leather chairs.

 

Sun-Mi moves beside her and begins to dry Young-Mi’s hair with the towel. After a few moments, Young-Mi reaches up and places her hand over Sun-Mi’s. She takes the towel and finishes drying her hair herself.

 

"You're too good-hearted, Sun-Mi. Just like your name. You'd be kind to any stray dog that wandered onto your porch."

 

Not knowing what to say, Sun-Mi sits in the adjacent chair and reaches for the teapot on the low table. She fills both cups with hot tea. Steam curls briefly from the cups before fading.

 

Young-Mi rests the towel on her lap. "Your clothes fit better than I expected," she says. "Maybe we're not so different... after all."

 

Sun-Mi picks up her teacup. "You still say things like that?" she replies, her lips twisting. "You haven't changed from the beginning."

 

Young-Mi's mouth curves faintly. "You're right. I haven't. Are you happy now that you won the News At Nine?"

 

Sun-Mi looks down at her tea. "I never really wanted it myself. It was because of you."

 

Young-Mi’s eyes narrow. "That is why I hate you. You have everything I want, yet you don't even realize the value of it."

 

"I don't understand you, either," Sun-Mi counters. "You want everything, but you don't value what you already have." She pauses, her voice softening. "You had Woo-Jin. Someone who loved you. Yet you broke up with him -- just to chase a career and another man."

 

"I wasn't the first woman to do that," Young-Mi replies, raising her eyes to meet Sun-Mi's. "I could say I have regrets now, but what would it change? He might be alive today, except for me."

 

Sun-Mi blinks. Her grip tightens on the handle of her teacup. "I understand what you mean." She looks down, her face contorting with the weight of her own guilt.

 

 

Silence closes in between them. Young-Mi takes a sip of tea, then sets the cup down again. "Would you believe me," she asks quietly, "if I said I envied you?"

 

Sun-Mi looks up and nods. "I envied you, too," she admits.

 

Young-Mi locks her eyes onto Sun-Mi's. Her lips curve, not quite a smile. "So I suppose we're even?"

 

Sun-Mi hesitates, then extends her hand for a handshake.

 

Young-Mi looks at the offered hand but does not move. "How can I hold your hand now? You told me you didn't want to touch me."

 

The memory of that earlier refusal in the announcers' office hangs between them. Sun-Mi's smile fades. She lowers her hand, a shadow of regret crossing her face.

 

Young-Mi stands. "I’ll return these clothes later," she says, then slowly extends her own hand. "Can we shake? Now?"

 

Sun-Mi sets her cup down and rises. They grasp hands, the contact firm and lingering. After several seconds, Young-Mi speaks. "You can let go now."

 

Sun-Mi releases her.

 

"I saw Woo-Jin’s box in your room. Could I have it now?" Young-Mi asks.

 

Sun-Mi's eyes soften. "I hoped you would take it, someday."

 

"Before, I felt too guilty... unworthy. But after losing the News At Nine, I realized in chasing success, I lost everything that mattered. Now, I feel there's nothing left." Young-Mi's voice trembles. "Life isn't worth living without Woo-Jin. I should have died instead of him."

 

Sun-Mi gazes at Young-Mi, blinking back the tears misting her eyes. "Woo-Jin wouldn't want you to think like that, Young-Mi."

 

She steps closer and rests her hand on Young-Mi's arm, giving it a light squeeze. "Stay here for a while longer. I’ll go get the box. Then we can talk more."

 

A tear rolls down Young-Mi's cheek. "I'd like that," she murmurs. "I'll refill the tea. There's so much I want to say to you."

 

Sun-Mi smiles. "You were right, Young-Mi. In one thing, we are alike. We both loved Woo-Jin... and we both miss him."