AAE -- Twists of Fate

Part 1 -- Chapter 17

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Joo-Hee picks up the envelope. She breaks the seal, removes a single sheet of paper, and unfolds it.

 

"Sun-Mi writes," she says, then reads from the printed page.

 

"I am sorry for causing so much trouble. I would have declined the News At Nine nomination, except I never expected to win it. I am unworthy of that position, because I am responsible for a person's death. If I cannot face myself, how can I face the public and expect their trust? Please return these clothes for me, and give the anchor seat to the person who truly deserves it -- Huh Young-Mi."

 

Joo-Hee lowers the letter to her lap, her face drawn. "Does this mean...?"

 

"Sun-Mi's resignation letter was on my desk when I arrived this morning," Hyung-Chul confirms.

 

Joo-Hee takes a long breath. "It's my fault. I sensed she was hesitant, but thought it was just nerves. So I pressed harder, and told her she had to rise to the role. Maybe I pressed too hard, and she felt she had no other choice but to resign."

 

"Don't blame yourself," Sun-Dal says firmly. "You had no way of knowing she'd do this. But who is this person whose death she says she is responsible for?"

 

"Kim Woo-Jin," Gwi-Sung answers. "About a week ago, Sun-Mi found an old letter he wrote, but never sent, when she was in London. In it he said that he broke up with her so she could be with another man. Someone who could help her achieve her dreams. I think he meant you, Director Yoon."

 

He pauses to sip his coffee. "But Woo-Jin knew Sun-Mi wouldn't believe him, unless she thought he loved someone else. So he made it seem that he was in love with Huh Young-Mi."

 

Gwi-Sung puts his cup down. "Woo-Jin fooled everyone at first. But after things soured with Young-Mi, Sun-Mi told me that Woo-Jin had asked her to marry him. But she rejected his proposal. Now..."

 

He wrings his hands together. "Sun-Mi believes that if they'd married, the accident wouldn't have happened, and he'd be alive today. I tried to persuade her she wasn't at fault. But it seems I failed."

 

"Do you have that letter?" Hyung-Chul asks.

 

Gwi-Sung shakes his head. "I looked around Sun-Mi's room, but the letter was gone, along with the box of Woo-Jin's things where she'd found it. She must have taken them with her."

 

His voice breaks. "There was something in Sun-Mi's eyes, an emptiness that I'd never seen before. I hope she doesn't try to... to punish herself."

 

He blinks and stands abruptly. "Director Yoon, thank you for your hospitality, and your concern for my daughter. I'm sorry she's causing so much trouble. I'll take my leave now. If..."

 

He straightens his shoulders. "When... Sun-Mi returns home, she shouldn't be alone."

 

"If we hear anything, we'll contact you," Sun-Dal says.

 

"Thank you, Sun-Dal."

 

Gwi-Sung shuffles to the door, opens it, and steps out.

 

The silence is heavy as the door swings shut with a dull click. Hyung-Chul picks up his coffee cup, then sets it down again without drinking.

 

"We need to file a Missing Persons report," Sun-Dal states. "In the meantime, Joo-Hee will have to stay on the News At Nine."

 

"I'm supposed to leave for London the day after tomorrow," she reminds him. "We need to choose someone else in Sun-Mi's place as soon as possible."

 

"Filing a report will make the situation public, with all the damaging publicity," Hyung-Chul counters. "And beginning a new selection process will trigger rumors in the company."

 

He locks his eyes onto theirs. "Only the three of us know that Sun-Mi has resigned and disappeared. We keep it that way, for now. Understand?"

 

"But what about London?" Joo-Hee asks, shifting slightly in her seat.

 

"I'll call the Bureau Director and delay your transfer, so you can do the news as long as needed," Hyung-Chul decides. "Sun-Dal, have PR prepare a press release that Announcer Jin has taken a leave of absence, due to unspecified personal reasons."

 

"Then what?"

 

"We wait. If Sun-Mi doesn't show up in a few days, we'll file the Missing Persons report. Until then, all we can do is hope for the best."

 

 

The intercom buzzes. Hyung-Chul presses the button. "Yes, Miss Lee?"

 

"Announcer Huh is here. She says it's urgent -- about Announcer Jin."

 

"Send her in."

 

The door opens. Young-Mi steps inside and bows.

 

Hyung-Chul gestures to her. "Come in, Announcer Huh. What is it?"

 

Young-Mi's voice is tense. "I just heard that Jin Sun-Mi is missing. I think I know where she might be... Today is the one-month anniversary of Kim Woo-Jin's death."