AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 71

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2017

 

"I feel like an idiot, finding out that someone I thought I knew is really a different person entirely." -- Jin Sun-Mi

 

 

AUNTIE JIN'S HOME, SUBURBAN LONDON...

 

"YOU DID WHAT?"

 

Lounging on her bed in T-shirt and shorts, mobile pressed to her ear, Sun-Mi imagines the startled expression on her best friend's face.

 

"Like I said -- after we kissed, I told him to forget me, and walked away -- that's it," she repeats the gist of her meeting at the Seine with Hyung-Chul dispassionately.

 

Cho-Jeh still can't believe what she just heard. "You've really ended things with him, just like that?"

 

"What else could I do?" Sun-Mi justifies her decision. "I saw the engagement ring on Park So-Won's finger myself, but he still talks about wanting me to stay by his side?! ... What kind of woman does he think I am?"

 

"But this is Director Yoon we're talking about! " Cho-Jeh argues. "Isn't half of that loaf still better than none?"

 

"Jo Cho-Jeh! I'm shocked you'd say such a thing!" Sun-Mi protests. "Do I seem that desperate for a man?"

 

"But it's not just any man, didn't you just say he's your only True Love?" Cho-Jeh reminds her. "Why not fight to get him back?"

 

"It's not just about getting love, but also giving love, and knowing when to let go of that love," Sun-Mi philosophizes. "Just because I love him, doesn't mean I have to cling to him. Can't I wish him happiness without me?"

 

"What's this?" Cho-Jeh scoffs sarcastically. "Playing the self-sacrificing heroine in some TV drama now?"

 

"No... I did this for ME," Sun-Mi declares passionately, " as an independent woman who won't limit her future because of a man!"

 

"Yes!!" Jo-Jeh cheers excitedly, pumped up by Sun-Mi's determined stance. "Why should we women always define ourselves by men? Remember that song our English Prof used to play in class?"

 

"The one by Helen Reddy, I Am Woman?" Sun-Mi guesses.

 

"Right! ... I am woman, hear me roar, in numbers too big to ignore..." Cho-Jeh sings the opening phrase, then calls for Sun-Mi to join her, "Come on, let's sing it together!"

 

But Sun-Mi is laughing at Cho-Jeh's efforts. "I won't," she declines, "I've forgotten the words, and my voice is so bad..."

 

"Just the chorus then?" Cho-Jeh urges, "Anyway, who's going to hear us? Besides, my voice is almost as bad as yours."

 

"All right," Sun-Mi gives in, and sings along with Cho-Jeh... "Oh yes, I am wise, but it's wisdom born of pain... Yes, I've paid the price, but look how much I gained... If I have to, I can do anything... I am strong... I am invincible... I am..."

 

Cho-Jeh abruptly stops, telling Sun-Mi, "Wait a sec...I just got a text..."

 

Two seconds later, she giggles girlishly, "Heh, heh... It's my sweetie! ... Sorry, Sun-Mi, but I've gotta run! He wants to meet on the roof top, right now!"

 

"I get it, so go," Sun-Mi allows.

 

"Anyway, we'll talk later," Cho-Jeh promises. "Bye!"

 

"Bye..." Sun-Mi replies as Cho-Jeh cuts off the call, smiling at Cho-Jeh's instantaneous change of focus.

 

"So much for female solidarity," she mulls over the contradiction as she puts her phone down on the bed stand and looks at the clothes still to unpack from her suitcase.

 

Her thoughts return to Paris and her final words to Hyung-Chul... "From now on, we're just two people who shared a beautiful moment on this bridge, watching the sunset together, before leaving on our separate ways...."

 

Feeling a tug at her heart, she reflects on the contradiction she feels... if I can do anything, if I'm so invincible... then why do I feel so empty? Why can't I keep my heart from caring about him, and missing him? ...

 

"Cho-Jeh is right, I am living a soppy TV drama," she sighs. "Who am I trying to kid?"

 

 

A knock on her open door announces Auntie Jin's appearance, bearing a fruit tray...

 

"My, I haven't heard that song in decades," she remarks with a cheerful voice.

 

Embarrassed by her off-key singing, Sun-Mi replies. "Sorry... I didn't know you came back."

 

Auntie Jin walks in and sets the tray on the desk. "It brings back memories of when I was a student at Ewha," she reminisces. "We'd hold late-night bull sessions in our dorm rooms, debating how we'd revolutionize society for women's equality. Someone had the record, and we'd sing together..."

 

Sitting down at the desk, she continues wistfully. "We had our passions, our dreams, but the reality was society didn't change for us. One by one, our little group acquiesced to tradition -- giving up our dreams to get married and have kids, until I was the last one..."

 

She looks over at Sun-Mi, who is sitting on the bed, listening raptly. "But when I look at you, a bright young woman with the aspirations and determination to build a successful career on your own, I think maybe we did make a difference, just a little."

 

"It's because of the inspiration from strong women like you and Auntie Song, that I got to where I am today," Sun-Mi modestly acknowledges, then thinks of her conflicted heart and mind...

 

"But actually, Auntie," she continues, "I have a confession to make... I might act like a modern woman, and talk like independence and a career are all that's important to me, but part of that's because I don't want to look old-fashioned. Really, I'd also be happy as a wife and mother, with a husband and children to love and care for," Sun-Mi sheepishly admits. "Maybe it's because I didn't have a mom growing up, that I'm this way, or maybe.. I just don't have it in me to be strong like you are..."

 

She lowers her eyes apologetically, "I'm sorry if that disappoints you, Auntie."

 

"I'm not disappointed one bit by hearing that, Sun-Mi," Auntie Jin replies encouragingly. "You and I may be a lot alike, but we're different, too. It takes strength to strive for any goals you have, and make the right choices for yourself, regardless of what others think. Don't sell yourself short, either dream is not easy to accomplish. The hardest job in this world is to be a good mother."

 

"I'm glad you understand," Sun-Mi smiles with relief.

 

 

Auntie Jin stands to signal she is about to leave, stating, "I can see you're exhausted from your trip, so I won't keep you up. Be sure to eat some fruit," she reminds Sun-Mi of her original reason for coming in.

 

"Before you go, Auntie, I have something else I want to discuss with you, right now," Sun-Mi speaks up.

 

"What is it that can't wait 'til morning?" the older woman questions. "Did something happen in Paris?"

 

"Nothing important," Sun-Mi declines to go into that unhappy subject. "But someone asked me questions about Min-Cho that I couldn't answer, and then, in the airport, I saw this..."

 

She takes a newspaper from her office tote on the floor by the bed, and shows an article to her aunt...

 

International Tech Giants Negotiating With British Firm KAIROS

Patent Rights for Innovative DORIS AI Software Reportedly Valued At Billions

 

 

"Auntie, why didn't you tell me these things about Min-Cho?"

 

Her aunt sits down again to explain. "It wasn't to deceive you. I just thought that Min-Cho should speak for himself..."

 

"I feel like an idiot, finding out that someone I thought I knew is really a different person entirely," Sun-Mi airs her feeling of betrayal.

 

"I see your point, but do those things really matter?" Auntie Jin counters.

 

"Are you asking if I'd treat a person with wealth and status differently than a 'normal' person?" Sun-Mi replies, voicing bit of indignation. "I'd like to think I'm more fair-minded that that!"

 

"Then what's the big problem? It hasn't been that long since you two met, right?" her aunt argues. "Do you expect a person to be open about everything at once?"

 

"Of course not. But from the beginning, Min-Cho's kept secrets, hiding his relationship to Chief Kim, and his long-time crush on me. I thought we were good friends by now, and past keeping secrets," Sun-Mi elaborates on her concern. "So it makes me wonder, what next? Can I really trust him?"

 

"I'm sure Min-Cho had good reasons," Auntie Jin defends him, "and aren't you keeping secrets, too?"

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"I heard that you're moving out this week. You didn't think to tell me?"

 

Sun-Mi looks at her aunt apologetically. "I was meaning to... but wasn't sure if you'd approve."

 

"Whether I approve or not, it's your decision to make," Auntie Jin withholds judgment, probing, "Are you having regrets?"

 

"At the time Min-Cho told me, it seemed like such a good opportunity, but now that I've thought about it, I'm not so sure," Sun-Mi voices her uncertainty. "Maybe I shouldn't have committed, before knowing more about the situation."

 

"What did Min-Cho tell you?"

 

"That I'd be house-sitting, for free, for some wealthy man who'll be travelling and seldom in London," Sun-Mi recounts the facts.

 

Her aunt is supportive. "That sounds like a good deal to me."

 

"But, I don't think it's just any man," Sun-Mi frets. "Based on what I learned about this KAIROS' real estate holdings in London, I'm feeling suspicious that Min-Cho has another secret he's keeping from me..."

 

"What is it this time?"

 

"I'm not 100% certain, but I think Min-Cho tricked me into agreeing to move into his own apartment... so I'd be living with him!"

 

But instead of scolding her as Sun-Mi feared, Auntie Jin bursts out laughing.

 

Puzzled, Sun-Mi asks, "You're not concerned how this looks?"

 

"You're both adults. What you decide is none of my business, right?" her aunt grins with a knowing wink.

 

"Auntie!" Sun-Mi exclaims, "So this was your idea all along?"

 

"When I heard Min-Cho's apartment would be sitting empty, I asked if he'd let you move in," her aunt confesses. "But I left it up to him what to tell you."

 

Hearing this, Sun-Mi declares animatedly, "Just wait until I get my hands on that joker! ... I swear, I'll make him pay for this, big time..."