AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart
Chapter 30
written by LoveCR2 -- 2005
edited by All-About-AAE -- 2017
"It's a feeling that carries hope of new dreams and new friends, and sadness at leaving dear loved ones behind." -- Jin Sun-Mi
"I'll take care of these right away, Director," Hyung-Chul's assistant refers to the stack of papers in his hands as they come out of the executive conference room together.
"Don’t bother. It can wait until morning," Hyung-Chul tells him. "You’ve worked hard these past days."
"Yes, Sir," the assistant responds. "Then, I'll go first."
He turns and heads off in the other direction as Hyung-Chul trudges tiredly to his new office...
The sun has long set, so the lights of Yeouido greet him from the windows as he enters and shucks off his suit jacket to hang on a coat rack in the corner. Collapsing onto his plush executive chair, he loosens his tie and closes his eyes for a moment before exhaling a long, slow breath, trying to release the pent up tension from a full day of contending with Director Kim...
A knock at the door catches his attention... "Come in," he answers.
Miss Lee brings in a cup of coffee, walking over to his desk to deposit the cup in front of him.
"Thanks," he gives her a weary smile. Faithful and attentive since she was assigned as his secretary on his first day of work, she had stuck by him through everything.
"Shall I order some dinner up for you?" she asks.
"No need. I'll have something later," he declines her offer. "It's late. Didn't I tell you not to stay like this?"
"Yes, Sir," she replies. "But I don't mind. I didn't have anything else planned."
Hyung-Chul regards his secretary appreciatively. "Miss Lee, since you've been my assistant, I can't recall a night that you ever told me you HAD something planned," he observes. "I appreciate your dedication, and I don't want to be presumptuous, but would you like me to introduce you to someone?"
Miss Lee blushes and shakes her head. "Thank you, Director, but my only concern is that I do my best to support you."
Hyung-Chul, realizing he has overstepped, gives her a subtle nod for an apology. "Still... go home and rest. Tomorrow we have a full agenda, and I'll need your best effort then, too."
Miss Lee bows and replies respectfully, "I'll be leaving first, then."
After she leaves and closes the door, Hyung-Chul focuses his attention on the Peter Rabbit music box positioned on the right front corner of his desk, smiling at the fond memories it brings. Then he picks up a remote control and turns on the radio, to catch the final minutes of Sun-Mi's program. The volume comes up as the last bars of a song segue into Sun-Mi's similarly melodic words...
... "This is Jin Sun-Mi, and welcome back to 'Musical Postcards' on Radio MBS FM 95.9" …
Her sweet, smooth as honey voice, in an effect as mysterious to Hyung-Chul as it was powerful, immediately reduces the stress tying his body in knots. Relaxing in the soothing aural massage, he turns his gaze out the windows, past Yeouido's towers, to the Han River beyond, as he listens...
"Dear friends, that last song is personally meaningful to many of us, as it expresses the sweet sorrow that comes when it is time to move on in our lives... It's a feeling that carries hope of new dreams and new friends, and sadness at leaving dear loved ones behind..."
The radio goes silent, and Hyung-Chul turns back anxiously, remembering the night Sun-Mi had collapsed from exhaustion during her program. He counts the seconds off, ready to rush down to the studio if she doesn't quickly come back on.
"I'm sorry..."
Hyung-Chul breathes a sigh of relief when he hears Sun-Mi's voice again.
"... there was something in my eyes. Actually, I once said that I never cry, but tonight is the exception, as I was remembering you, my dear friends, and all your faithful support of this program, although I’ve made many mistakes in the time we've been together. Yes, I am sad to be leaving you, but hopeful in that I will be beginning a new and challenging assignment in London.."
Hyung-Chul, hearing this, sits up erect in his chair and listens closely...
... "So as this is my last broadcast of 'Musical Postcards' I want to introduce your new program host... Announcer Kim Soo-Hyun, do you have a few words to say to our listeners?"
"Yes, I am Kim Soo-Hyun, and so pleased to be your new host. I promise to work hard for you every night, to keep up the high programming standards set by Announcer Jin Sun-Mi. Thank you!"
"Please support Soo-Hyun with the same love you gave to me; fond memories that I will always keep close in my heart... This is Jin Sun-Mi, and although this is the end of 'Musical Postcards' for tonight, come join us tomorrow as we share life and love together..."
The program's bumper music, Brian Crain's instrumental "Northern Lights" fades in as Hyung-Chul sits motionless in his chair, for a moment stunned at what he’d just heard. Then he reaches for his desk phone and quickly keys in a number.
Instead of hearing Sun-Mi pick up, the answering service informs him... The number you are trying to reach is disconnected...
Hyung-Chul keys another number.
"Yes?" Sun-Dal answers.
"What's this about Sun-Mi going to London?"
"She announced it at the staff meeting yesterday," Sun-Dal explains. "Since her transfer was already signed by Director Pyo, I went ahead and approved it. Why?"
"How could you do that, without informing me first?" Hyung-Chul complains irately.
Sun-Dal takes a deep breath, to give himself a moment to think before answering. "First, you made it clear you were not to be interrupted by day-to-day matters. Second, you expressly put me in charge of all personnel assignments," he calmly defends his decision. "How was I to know Sun-Mi hadn’t cleared it with you first?"
"Sorry... you’re right," Hyung-Chul apologizes. "Anyway, it is Sun-Mi’s prerogative if she wants to go."
"What are you going to do?" Sun-Dal asks.
Hyung-Chul is undecided. "At this point, will anything I do matter?"
Sun-Dal counters, "If you don't do anything, will you regret it?"