AAE -- Twists of Fate

Part 1 -- Chapter 27

by LoveCR2

edited by All-About-AAE

 

 

The lift doors open on 18F of the Seoul 620 Tower in Gangnam. Hyung-Chul exits into the small lobby. He is wearing a navy suit, white shirt, and patterned red tie. Behind him, Young-Mi steps out in her signature black Pradas, the 120mm stilettos loud on the tiled floor. She is dressed in a coral Chanel suit with a collarless blazer and tapered pencil skirt hemmed just above the knees. A black canvas Fendi Zucca monogram mini pochette hangs over her shoulder.

 

They walk in together through the open glass doors of the private club. When the floor captain sees them, he moves forward.

 

"Good evening, Director Yoon. Announcer Huh," he greets them. "A table, or the bar tonight?"

 

Hyung-Chul glances at Young-Mi.

 

"A table, please," she requests. "Preferably in a corner."

 

The captain gestures. "Right this way. Follow me." He leads them across the dining room to a table by the windows. "A waiter will be with you in a moment."

 

Hyung-Chul helps seat Young-Mi, then takes his own chair across from her. "Why a table?" he asks. "Usually you choose the bar."

 

"I've been on my feet all day, and am dying to slip out of these shoes," she reveals, then with a flick of her eyes adds, "Actually... I prefer a table as it's more comfortable. You know I only sit at the bar so men can admire my legs while we drink, right?"

 

He replies dryly, "Is that why you're wearing shorter skirts lately, even though the weather has turned colder?"

 

She smiles. "Why, Director -- then you do notice."

 

Hyung-Chul laughs quietly. "Okay, you outed me. Should I apologize for looking too long?"

 

"A woman dresses to be seen and appreciated. So why should a man apologize if he likes seeing what a shorter skirt and higher heels show off?"

 

 

A waiter approaches. "Your usual, Director? We have a new shipment of Maker's Mark."

 

"That's good. Make it a double."

 

"The same for me," Young-Mi adds.

 

"Two doubles," the waiter confirms before he walks off.

 

 

"Usually you have a cocktail," Hyung-Chul observes.

 

"It's been an especially hard day. What about you?"

 

"I had another run-in with Director Kim over next year's budget. But let's not talk about that. Tell me your troubles instead."

 

"Really, it's nothing," she deflects.

 

"Come on. It can't be nothing if you're drinking like this."

 

She sighs. "You already know my car is in the shop for the week. Choi Jin-Soo and Shin Ki-Jong are having a spat over his announcing for the DG and Dragons game. And I got notice at work that my apartment building had a fire today and is uninhabitable. We'll be allowed back inside in a few days just for an hour to retrieve essentials. So all I have are the clothes on my back. They said it may be weeks before we can go back to live there again."

 

"Where are you going to go on such short notice?"

 

She shrugs. "That's a good question. You know how hard it is to find a place in Seoul that is both decent and affordable, even if you have the time to search."

 

"What about Kim Woo-Jin's mother? Could you stay with her?"

 

Young-Mi shakes her head. "She offered, but I can't do it. There's too many memories to face in that house."

 

 

The waiter returns with their drinks and trays of sliced fruit and hors d'oeuvres. "Is there anything else, sir?"

 

Hyung-Chul looks up. "We're fine, thank you."

 

 

After the waiter leaves, Hyung-Chul and Young-Mi bring their glasses together with a crystal clink. "To a better tomorrow," he toasts.

 

They both take a long swallow. She sets her glass down and exhales. "Ah... that was smooth. You really do know your liquor, Director."

 

Hyung-Chul retrieves his cigarette case from his jacket and takes one out, putting it to his lips. Before he can reach back into his pocket for his lighter, Young-Mi already has one out.

 

"Here, let me get that," she offers, leaning forward to light the cigarette. He inhales and blows out a thin stream. Then she taps one from her own pack and lights it for herself.

 

Hyung-Chul raises his brows. "I didn't know you smoked, Young-Mi."

 

"I usually don't -- except when it gets really rough."

 

He chuckles. "This is kind of refreshing."

 

"Oh? Why?"

 

"Sun-Mi used to nag me, so I could never smoke in front of her. And she couldn't hold her liquor, either, so she didn’t like it when I drank heavily. It's nice to be with someone who understands."

 

"I'm sure she meant well," Young-Mi says, spearing a pear slice with her fork. "She just had a strong sense of right and wrong, and didn't hold back from letting you know how she felt. She was especially hard on me for being hypocritical."

 

"You, too?" He leans in. "I thought I was the only one she called a hypocrite."

 

"I suppose that's one more thing we have in common," she laments. "It stings, doesn't it, even when it's justified."

 

Hyung-Chul takes a deep draw from his cigarette and follows it with a slow swig of bourbon. "Still, I'd take all her nagging to have Sun-Mi back." He sighs, staring into his drink. "I just can't believe she's gone."

 

"It's harder when you don't know what happened," Young-Mi empathizes. "But we have the memories of her to encourage us."

 

"You're right." He looks up. "Sun-Mi always found the silver lining in a dark cloud, and she'd want me to be happy without her. Moping around won't bring her back, and it denies how she changed me into someone better."

 

 

Young-Mi's mobile chimes. She takes the phone from her bag and flips it open, checking the caller ID before answering.

 

"Hello, Mr. Jin... Yes... Not yet... Really? Tonight? That's so kind... Thank you so much! You're a lifesaver... I'll see you then... Bye."

 

She closes the phone and meets Hyung-Chul's inquisitive expression. "That was Sun-Mi's father. He heard about my situation from Mr. Song. He's offered to let me stay in Sun-Mi's room while he's away at a job site the next several weeks."

 

"That's great, but what about clothes?"

 

"Mr. Jin said I can wear Sun-Mi's if I need to." Tears come to her eyes. "Even now, after she's gone, she's still helping me."

 

She returns the phone to her bag. "Why don't we sing a song in her memory?"

 

"Yes." He thinks for a moment. "I know just the one."

 

He stands. Young-Mi slips back into her shoes and they walk over to the piano. They sit together on the bench, hip to hip and shoulder to shoulder. He extends his hands to the keys, playing the opening notes of Kim Kwang-Seok's 'Those Days'.

 

Then their voices blend into the first verse...

 

"Just the thought of you

Just the sight of you

Or just the sound of your voice

Made me feel joy in those days..."