AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 91

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2017

 

"Although I've made many mistakes, by your generous and patient help, I learned to be a real news correspondent." -- Jin Sun-Mi

 

 

GNN LONDON OFFICE... LATER THAT DAY...

 

After completing the taping for Fashion Today!, Sun-Mi emerges from the studio changing room. Scrubbed clean of the heavy makeup, her face glows from the happiness bursting inside...

 

... finally, she was recognized for her abilities, and not her connection to Hyung-Chul ...

 

She heads for the newsroom, her sleek patent black Sergio Rossi 80mm slingbacks seeming to float on air, reverted to type in a black-and-white houndstooth Alexander McQueen peplum skirt suit and ivory silk blouse.

 

Taking out her mobile to share the good news, she checks the time ... four o'clock ... and automatically calculates the equivalent in Seoul ... midnight ... too late to call her father or Cho-Jeh.

 

Sun-Mi thinks briefly of Min-Cho, but decides to wait for his return... and then Auntie Jin.

 

She dials her aunt's cell, but is shunted to voicemail: "Please leave a message, and I'll get back to you," her aunt's voice instructs.

 

With a sigh, her enthusiasm wanes ... good news is always better when shared ...

 

Sun-Mi starts to put her phone away, when a call comes in...

 

"Min-Cho?" she answers excitedly. "Let me tell you the great news!"

 

"I can't wait to hear it, but I only have a minute now," he replies. "I'm flying into London City in a few hours."

 

"Do you want me to meet you there?" she volunteers to pick him up.

 

"No need. There's a private view event tonight for the Double Blind exhibit opening at the Tate Modern, and your name is on an invitation," he includes her in his plans as if she has already agreed to them."

 

"But don't I get a vote?" Sun-Mi expresses her dislike at being told what to do.

 

"This is an important event, everyone will be there... It's black tie, so dress up accordingly," he orders.

 

"But I don't have a thing to wear to something like that!" she protests. "Why didn't you call earlier, so I could go shopping?"

 

"Last time I checked, you had a closet bulging with clothes," he remarks sarcastically, following with his usual wisecrack, "This isn't an audience with the Queen, you know."

 

"Still, I can't just wear any old thing," she resists his presumptions for her.

 

"What about the red dress you wore for dinner that night?" he suggests. "Didn't you say you bought it for a special occasion, but never had a reason to wear it? Now you have..."

 

"Oh... all right," she agrees reluctantly ... she had said that ...

 

"A limo will collect you at 7:15. We'll meet outside the museum, the driver knows where," he gives final instructions. "Oh, there's also a small package on the coffee table, something I want you to wear...

 

"Min-Cho, you just can't expect me to..."

 

"My minute's up... Bye."

 

With the call abruptly ended, Sun-Mi can only look at her phone and speak her complaint to it, "Who appointed you God, anyway?!"

 

She closes her phone and puts it back into her bag, wondering aloud, "Still, just what is going on here?"

 

 

A few minutes later, Sun-Mi arrives at the newsroom, where she finds a banner stretched across entire room -- 'CONGRATULATIONS, SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT NEW YORK' -- and her colleagues waiting with wholehearted applause, cheering her on...

 

"But how..." she is stunned by the surprise reception.

 

Kim Byung-Hun explains, "Mr. White told us secretly this morning, so we could prepare for your last day in the office."

 

Son Mi-Ran steps forward, with tears in her eyes. "I'm so happy for you... I mean that, too," she says sincerely, giving Sun-Mi a hug. "I know I was a bitch most of the time, but I really will miss you."

 

Tears come to Sun-Mi's eyes as she recalls her first assignment from Mi-Ran ... 'Now get moving. People here are very serious about their coffee! .. Disappointing your colleagues the first day won't look good.... and don't make any mistakes!'...

 

Mi-Ran steps back and other colleagues come up to shake Sun-Mi's hand, or give her a hug.

 

"Speech!" someone shouts out.

 

Sun-Mi flushes, "Really, I can't..."

 

But other voices join in a clamor, repeating, "Speech! ... Speech! ..."

 

Finally Sun-Mi gives in. Taking a deep breath, she speaks up loudly, "Thank you everyone, for guiding and helping me with your kindness and support. Although I've made many mistakes, by your generous and patient help, I learned to be a real news correspondent. I'll miss working with you, and wish you all well for the future. Thank you again..."

 

Another round of applause fills the room, but she motions for silence...

 

"There's still one more thing to do before I can leave," she states.

 

"What is it?" Byung-Hun speaks for everyone.

 

"Please return to your desks... I'll be back shortly, with everyone's afternoon coffee," Sun-Mi replies with a wide smile.