AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 83

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2017

 

"I regret my words, about being strangers. We've shared too much, to throw it all away like that." -- Jin Sun-Mi

 

 

MBS LONDON BUREAU, ONE WEEK LATER...

 

"... facing major changes is difficult, especially when the outcome affects your livelihood..."

 

Hyung-Chul is addressing the entire MBS London Bureau staff from the podium of the main conference room. He pauses to scan the roomful of anxious faces expecting further bad news, then focuses on one face in particular...

 

From the far end of the room, Sun-Mi is glowering at him with the same unconvinced, annoyed expression she'd shown on the night she broke off their relationship over threatened retrenchments in the Seoul HQ...

 

Hyung-Chul smiles, trying to ease the crowd's apprehension, and then continues, "Of course, solid finances are critical to an organization's success, but someone once taught me that even more important, are principles like loyalty, responsibility, and integrity... that a company is not just about making profits and providing jobs..."

 

When his gaze passes Sun-Mi again, he sees she is nodding in agreement, her frown now curving into a smile...

 

"... Therefore I'm pleased to announce, that upon final negotiations with the BBC, we struck an agreement for our entire London team to be transferred to the new joint venture..."

 

Thunderous applause mixed with cheers drowns out the rest of his words as the entire staff rises as one to their feet.

 

 

Once the standing ovation dies off and everyone is settled back in their seats, Hyung-Chul continues, "I'd like to introduce the President of BBC-MBS Global News Network, Mr. John White, formerly a Vice-President of BBC Global News. President White and I have a long relationship going back to when we were classmates at Cambridge. Please give him a warm welcome..."

 

To generous clapping, President White enters the conference room and shakes hands with Hyung-Chul before he takes the podium.

 

"Thank you, Director Yoon," he acknowledges the introduction. "And thank you all, for your enthusiastic welcome. As Director Yoon said, we were mates at Cambridge in an earlier life..."

 

"But what he didn't say is that we were also fierce competitors over a particular love interest we shared at the time," he shares an anecdote, scanning the room with his eyes until he sees Sun-Mi. "It was back in the summer of '95, if I recall."

 

When she sees him focusing on her, Sun-Mi flushes and averts her eyes.

 

"As my rival is far more handsome, you may think the contest was hardly fair," ... he pauses for the muted laughter... "But in the end, skill mattered more than looks... I took him three out of five at the billiards table."

 

Laughter roars as John and Hyung-Chul exchange a backslapping hug, and Hyung-Chul takes his seat.

 

"I have more stories to tell, but today I'll keep my remarks brief," John promises. "I'm excited to be leading such a talented and dedicated group of people as you and our former BBC staff. And as we start out on this new adventure, I'm convinced that together our contributions will build GNN into one of the world's preeminent news organizations... Now, I'd like to have our Human Resources Manager come forward to answer your questions..."

 

 

AFTER THE MEETING...

 

"Let's get together for a pint before you leave for Seoul," John suggests to Hyung-Chul as the last of the MBS staff leaves the conference room.

 

"I'll give you a call," Hyung-Chul promises.

 

The two men shake hands and John leaves the room, but Hyung-Chul sits down at the table to go through some paperwork.

 

 

A minute later, a knock sounds at the open door. Hyung-Chul turns to see Sun-Mi in the doorway.

 

"It's been a long time, Correspondent Jin," Hyung-Chul greets her formally, in keeping with her stiffly proper 'Director Yoon' she had addressed him with before the meeting. "Come in and have a seat."

 

Sun-Mi walks in and takes the chair closest to him on the right side of the table.

 

"I heard about Park So-Won, and am so sorry at what happened," she expresses her concern. "I know what it's like to watch someone you care for go through such difficulties."

 

"The situation with So-Won was a surprise to me," he explains apologetically. "I'd never intentionally keep such a thing secret to deceive you. I only wish that you hadn't had to find out this way. I'm sorry."

 

"You needn't apologize; everyone has a past behind them," she reassures him of her understanding. "But I do need to apologize for my attitude the last time when we met in Paris. What I'm trying to say is... I regret my words about being strangers. We've shared too much, to throw it all away like that," Sun-Mi expresses her remorse.

 

"My feelings exactly," he concurs. "Let's put it behind us, and start over."

 

Sun-Mi nods and smiles sheepishly as she confesses, "All day, I've been worried you'd reject me. Thanks for being so considerate."

 

Thinking of his own trepidations, Hyung-Chul admits, "I've had the same worry myself. Thanks for coming forward."

 

"Senior?" she reverts to her former way of addressing him, extending her hand across the table.

 

He takes her hand, and grasps it warmly.

 

"Sun-Mi..."

 

"We're fine, then?" she asks hopefully.

 

"Do you have time for dinner tonight?" he afirms her query. "There's some things I'd like to talk over with you."

 

"Sorry, I have some commitments," she declines, but leaves the door open, "Tomorrow, though, is my day off."

 

"Coffee? " he suggests. "My treat."

 

Sun-Mi nods. "All right, where do you want to meet?"

 

"How about the Don Pasquale Pizzeria on Market Hill?" he mentions the place they shared their first cup together over lunch.

 

Sun-Mi is surprised that he'd remembered. "You want to go all the way to Cambridge, just for coffee?"

 

"I haven't been back since I graduated," he gives a plausible reason. "I'd like to see what's different from back then."

 

The idea appeals to her, so Sun-Mi agrees, "Okay... I'm curious, too. So why not?"

 

"Good, I'll pick you up at your aunt's house at nine. We can be there before lunchtime," he lays out his plans.

 

"I have a better idea," Sun-Mi counters, not wanting him to know she has moved in with Min-Cho. "I'll come to the hotel and meet you at ten, and bring our lunch with me."

 

Hyung-Chul's eyes light up with anticipation. "Your aunt's special kimbap lunch box?"

 

"Of course... what else?" Sun-Mi smiles. "And I know the perfect place for a picnic..."