AAE -- Twists of Fate

Part 1 -- Chapter 21

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

Inside the conference room, Joo-Hee selects a chair at the side of the table. She motions to the chair beside hers.

 

Young-Mi sits erect, facing Joo-Hee, hands clasped in her lap.

 

Crossing her legs, Joo-Hee leans back, arms folded in front of her, the sharply pointed toe of her Prada stiletto aimed directly at Young-Mi.

 

Joo-Hee presses her lips into a thin line. "You're spending too much time worrying over Sun-Mi. Besides being unproductive, it's a distraction for the rest of the team, too."

 

"I understand," Young-Mi answers quietly. "I'll correct my behavior."

 

"It's important that you do. The team must be unified for the coming transition. It's not general knowledge yet, but this is my last night casting the News At Nine."

 

Young-Mi's head snaps up. "Your assignment to London was reinstated?"

 

Joo-Hee's expression softens. "No. A better offer came along." She smiles as she lifts her hand. A diamond ring sparkles in the light.

 

"Senior, that's wonderful!" Young-Mi exclaims, her eyes lighting up. "Then the rumors were true? To Manager Kim?"

 

"Yes." Joo-Hee nods. "He proposed some time ago, but I kept putting it off. Now, I've made up my mind. We're getting married on the first auspicious date available."

 

"But I thought London was your dream."

 

"It was. But since Sun-Mi's disappearance, I've had a change of heart. Life's too precarious to postpone happiness when it's staring you in the face. I don't want to be defined by my career."

 

Young-Mi's smile dims. "Why does getting married mean you can't stay on the News?"

 

"I'm already thirty-one, almost at my expiration date," Joo-Hee replies with a trace of dry humor. "I'm leaving while it's my choice, rather than be forced out for a younger face."

 

"Are you going to resign?"

 

Joo-Hee chuckles. "Hardly! I'm managing the consolidated announcer training program, reporting directly to Director Yoon. My new office will be next to Manager Kim's."

 

"Congratulations, Senior. You deserve it." Young-Mi tilts her head, biting her lower lip. "But with Sun-Mi missing, who will take your place?"

 

Joo-Hee leans forward, looking directly at her. "I've recommended you."

 

"Me?" Young-Mi blinks.

 

"Who else? The selection board is meeting right now to formalize your appointment."

 

"But... what if Sun-Mi comes back?"

 

"She'd be disqualified from the News. Marked as mentally unstable," Joo-Hee says ruefully. "There's no coming back."

 

"I promise, if I'm taking Sun-Mi's place, I'll do my best to fulfill her dream, too."

 

Joo-Hee narrows her eyes. "I appreciate your sentiment, but you're not replacing her. You can't," she flatly states. "You're filling an open slot in the roster. That's all."

 

Young-Mi's jaw stiffens. "Senior? May I speak frankly?"

 

"Certainly."

 

"I know you prefer Sun-Mi over me. You recommended me only because she isn't here. Tell me, if I'm qualified now, then why not before? Do I have your full support, or am I just an emergency fill-in?" She clenches her teeth, then declares, "If that's the case, I don't want it."

 

Joo-Hee fires a cold glare and snaps, "Why, you--"

 

She stops herself, taking a sharp breath, then continues with a level voice. "I see your point, Young-Mi, how it might look that way. The truth is, I let my feelings override my judgment in supporting Sun-Mi -- she wasn't ready yet. Now I have a chance to correct my error. You're not a second choice. You have my full support and approval."

 

A thin smile touches Young-Mi's lips. "Thank you, Senior. I appreciate your endorsement, especially with the team in such disarray. There's bound to be a backlash. People will claim I benefited from Sun-Mi's disappearance."

 

"There are always resentments," Joo-Hee asserts. "Becoming Team Leader isn't a popularity contest. It's not about people liking you, but gaining their respect."

 

"With so much stacked against me, how will I be able to earn it?" Young-Mi asks.

 

"It's not just what you do, but how you carry yourself. Appearance is as critical as performance."

 

"I know that."

 

Joo-Hee sweeps Young-Mi from head to heel with her eyes. With a slight frown, she says, "Clear your schedule for tomorrow."

 

"Saturday? Why?"

 

"Your wardrobe is dated. I'm taking you to Madame Kim's boutique for a fitting. As the next face of MBS, you need a proper look. Prada will suit you better. Or perhaps Dior."

 

Young-Mi gasps, lifting a hand to cover her mouth. "Really? You'd do that for me, Senior?"

 

"It's not just for you. Your appearance reflects on me, too, when you take that seat for the first time."

 

"I don't know what to say. It's so... generous of you."

 

Joo-Hee smiles. "Like I said before, you're not a second choice. You're my protégée."

 

Joo-Hee's mobile rings.

 

Swiveling away in her chair, she flips open her phone and puts it to her ear. "Yes... she's with me right now. I'll tell her." She closes the phone and turns back to Young-Mi.

 

"That was Manager Kim. The vote was unanimous. You are officially the new anchor for the News At Nine."

 

Joo-Hee rises and extends her hand. Young-Mi stands and they shake.

 

"Congratulations, Anchor Huh Young-Mi. How do you feel now?"

 

A confident smirk curves Young-Mi's mouth. "If I'm polite, I'd say I'm not ready," she admits. "But honestly? It's about time. I've anticipated this day my entire life."