AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 114

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2017

 

"After you hear what I have to say, you may not want to consider me your daughter any longer." -- Huh Young-Mi

 

 

JIN FAMILY HOME, SEOUL ...

 

"For a more detailed report, let's go to MBS Global News Network Special Correspondent, Jin Sun-Mi..."

 

As the male news anchor introduces the next segment, Jin-Suk excitedly calls to her husband, "Hurry! Sun-Mi is on the news tonight!"

 

"Is she?" Kui-Sung hurries from the kitchen, bringing the two bottles of beer he'd gone for, and settles into his chair to watch...

 

The screen cuts to a shot of Sun-Mi, standing across the street from a modern building with silver gray and glass walls, microphone in hand, dressed in a Giorgio Armani ruby red two-button blazer and a white silk button up shirt, with black wide-legged dress pants that skim the ground, showing just the pointed toes and heel tips of her black pumps.

 

"Hello, I'm GNN Special Correspondent Jin Sun-Mi, reporting from outside the United States International Trade Commission headquarters in Washington D.C. In a few minutes we'll be interviewing ..."

 

"This is Sun-Mi's second special report this week! I'm so proud of her!" Jin-Suk exclaims enthusiastically.

 

"Shhh... too much noise!" he complains, turning up the volume with the remote so he can hear Sun-Mi speaking...

 

"... anticipate release in September, the forecast of economic effects from a free trade agreement between the two countries, which is expected to result in significant increases in American exports, especially in the Automobile and Agriculture market sectors, through the reduction or elimination of many tariffs..."

 

The phone rings. Kui-Sung glances at it, irritated by the interruption.

 

"Go on, answer it," Jin-Suk orders, taking a sip of her beer as she listens to Sun-Mi's continuing report...

 

"... the US trade deficit with the Republic of Korea has exceeded US one billion dollars in twelve of the past fourteen months, a new record ..."

 

He picks up the handset and speaks into the phone, "Yes?"

 

"Dad, it...it's me," Young-Mi's trembling voice comes over the line.

 

"Wait a moment." Kui-Sung puts the TV on mute and tells Jin-Suk, "It's Anna... sounds like she's crying..."

 

"If she's calling at this time of night, it must be serious," Jin-Suk considers. "Give me the phone..."

 

Kui-Sung hands it over, and turns his attention back to watching Sun-Mi on the muted TV, while Jin-Suk speaks to Young-Mi...

 

"Anna, what's wrong?"

 

"Something's happened... I... I'm coming back to Seoul," Young-Mi tells her with a wavering voice.

 

"We're always happy to have you visit here," Jin-Suk says welcomingly. "When do you have to go back?"

 

"I'm not going back," Young-Mi sobs into the phone. "Mom, I've left the convent. I can't ever go back..."

 

Her tearful pronouncement surprises Jin-Suk. "But why? I thought you were happy there."

 

Young-Mi, with a steadier voice, replies, "I was but... I'll tell you everything later," she promises.

 

"When will you get here?"

 

"Actually... I'm at the gate," Young-Mi reveals. "I'm just too ashamed to come in..."

 

"Whatever it is, your Dad and I are here for you. You can always come to us, you're our daughter," Jin-Suk affirms her support.

 

"I know," Young-Mi replies, "but after you hear what I have to say, you may not want to consider me your daughter any longer..."

 

 

LATER, IN THE JIN GARDEN ...

 

"Let me pour you a drink, Director," Kui-Sung offers the usual courtesy to his guest as he fills the two shot glasses on the garden table with Ballantine's 17-Year-Old. "I appreciate your sending Young-Mi home, and sorry to have kept you, and your driver, waiting out here so long."

 

"It's nothing," Hyung-Chul respectfully responds, then waits for his host to continue.

 

Kui-Sung picks up his shot glass, and they both put down their whiskey in a single gulp...

 

With the formalities completed, Kui-Sung comes right to the point, "I was quite surprised by what Young-Mi had to say. Is there anything you'd like to add, to explain yourself?"

 

"I have no excuse for what happened, it was all my fault," Hyung-Chul accepts the blame.

 

"I'm not here to judge," Kui-Sung asserts. "Young-Mi has also taken the full responsibility on herself, too. In more traditional times, there would be no need for this conversation, but in today's world things are different. So as a father, I need to know your intentions with my daughter, or should I say, daughters?"

 

 

Hyung-Chul knew this was coming, and in the half-hour he'd been cooling his heels by the gate while Young-Mi was inside with her adoptive parents, he'd been preparing how to answer this question...

 

"What exactly do you want to know, Sir?" he allows Kui-Sung to lead the conversation.

 

"Let me be clear, I have some concerns for which you have to account, and I expect honest answers," the older man states bluntly.

 

Hyung-Chul nods, "Whatever you say, Sir... But may I pour you a drink first?"

 

Kui-Sung holds out his glass, and Hyung-Chul fills both shots, which they drain in the same manner as the first round.

 

 

After a pause to regroup his thoughts, Kui-Sung begins, "There's a matter of affection. Do you love Young-Mi, or Sun-Mi?"

 

"Honestly, my heart is with Sun-Mi, but I don't carry much hope, as it seems our relationship is finally over," Hyung-Chul bases his understanding on their latest interaction. "On the other hand, although I've become fond of Young-Mi while at the orphanage, I don't have the same love she professes for me, and that future is also uncertain."

 

"Fair enough. Love between two people can't be forced," Kui-Sung acknowledges. "But at the moment, I'm mostly concerned about how this matter affects my family's inner relationships. Frankly, I don't like the idea that both of my daughters are romantically involved with the same man. Regardless of the outcome, it only engenders trouble."

 

"The last thing I want is for hard feelings between sisters," Hyung-Chul concurs. "But this is where things have come to."

 

"You do know, at some point, we'll have to tell Sun-Mi of this indiscretion? Young-Mi is burdened by guilt and won't have it any other way."

 

"I know, Young-Mi's already informed me of her intentions, and I see no merit in keeping secrets within a family, either."

 

Kui-Sung nods, glad they are all in agreement on this point. "Even though you say Sun-Mi has broken up with you, she is going to take this hard," he predicts. "There is nothing Sun-Mi values more than loyalty, and this incident can only look like a deliberate betrayal by the both of you."

 

"For that I'm profoundly sorry, and I'd hope to have the opportunity to correct that impression," Hyung-Chul expresses his desire to set things right, "But at the moment, Sun-Mi has cut off all communication between us."

 

"Regardless, this absolutely has to be kept out of the public eye," Kui-Sung demands, pointing a threatening finger into Hyung-Chul's face. "I don't want Sun-Mi embarrassed again by scandals related to you, Director, particularly one this close to home. Should word get out, I'll hold you personally responsible for the consequences... big time!"

 

Hyung-Chul recalls with a grimaced memory what the words 'personally' and 'big time' entail. "I understand your concerns, Sir, and willingly accept whatever judgment you deem appropriate," he submits to the older man's wrath without resistance. "Is there anything else?"

 

"One last matter that I must discuss, though I'd rather not have to think about it," Kui-Sung replies reluctantly. "What if Young-Mi is carrying your child?"

 

Hyung-Chul has already considered this possibility, and immediately answers, "A child should have a mother and father together," he is adamant, and delivers his decision: "If it comes to that, I will do the right thing by both the child, and Young-Mi, and marry her ..."