AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 128

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2018

 

"What I'm trying to figure out is if Min-Cho loves me as a person, or just loves a challenge." -- Jin Sun-Mi

 

 

SANTORINI ISLAND, GREECE... THE NEXT DAY...

 

"Here's your coffee, Princess..."

 

Coming out on the villa's east veranda, Min-Cho sets the cup on the metal bistro table, where Sun-Mi is resting in the shade, protected from the hot afternoon sun. A strong northeasterly wind whips the loose tresses of her uncovered head about her face.

 

Ignoring the teasing word's addressed to her, Sun-Mi turns to smile gratefully. "Thanks for bringing it out."

 

"Don't mention it. My coffee isn't as good as Su-Ji's, but..."

 

"... it's the thought that counts," she completes his words. "And speaking of thoughtful, thanks for the Sergio Rossi's, too... they came yesterday. You should have told me they were custom-made, pre-releases from next year's Spring Collection concepts."

 

"I wanted to surprise you," he explains. "How do they look with the dress?"

 

"Hmm... you'll see tonight at dinner," she baits impishly to whet his appetite. "But I'll expect an honest appraisal."

 

He sits down in the chair next to Sun-Mi, but rather than take in the sweeping seaside scene, focuses his attention on her...

 

Sun-Mi is wearing a bright salmon, short sleeved Calvin Klein bardot mini dress, asymmetrically ruched to give the simple figure-skimming sheath a tailored flair. The off-the-shoulder neckline highlights her graceful shoulders and elegant collarbones, directing attention onto a delicate silver chain with a sparkling crystal pendant nestled at the hollow of her throat. Jeweled white Miu Miu ankle-wrap platform sandals on 115mm block heels add a second touch of sparkle, and white-rimmed, round Prada sunglasses complete the casual-but-dressy look.

 

"Honestly? I'm certain it's a perfect match, and you'll look simply beautiful," he replies sincerely.

 

"How would you know without seeing it?" she dismisses the compliment as groundlessly biased.

 

"Since the first day we met, regardless of what you wear, you've always looked beautiful," he answers admiringly, gazing longingly on her face, with the hope that the eyes hidden behind her dark lenses might someday look back at him again. "So I know what to expect..."

 

 

Sun-Mi's mouth twists. "You're giving at me 'that look' again," she accuses him.

 

"You can tell?" he chuckles, amazed. "How?"

 

"Whenever you do it, you catch your breath," she discloses her secret. "It's barely noticeable, but once a person knows to listen, it's easy to hear."

 

"I guess I can't help myself," he admits, then remarks in jest, "You always take my breath away..."

 

"Okay, stop it," she complains with a wide smile. "You've made your point."

 

 

Changing direction, Min-Cho gets down to business...

 

"Another offer came in today from MSNBC, and CBS asking for an interview," he informs her. " John White also called again, about a contract extension with GNN, agreeing to Lead Correspondent as he promised you before."

 

"Thanks for handling those things for me," she replies gratefully. "You have a much better head for business matters. But thinking about all that just doesn't excite me right now..."

 

"Everyone is jockeying to be first in line. It's not too early to consider what you'll do when you come back," he reminds her.

 

"You mean, IF I come back, right?" she counters. "Isn't it presupposing a lot, that my condition will change? And that I even WANT to go back?"

 

"You're thinking otherwise?" he probes for more insight into her latest mood.

 

"Yes... About what you said when we first met, living life to the fullest each day, and not taking anything for granted. Now I see how fragile life is, and so easily cut short. So I've decided to follow your example, and focus on what is most important to me..."

 

"Good for you!" he supports her decision. "What have you decided is most important?"

 

"When I was interviewing the survivors on 9/11, to a person they expressed thankfulness just to be alive, not for themselves, but so their loved ones wouldn't have to grieve, and they could be reunited..."

 

"And that means?"

 

"My Daddy, and Auntie Song -- my new mum -- I haven't seen them for a year," she answers. "I promised to visit sometime, but now, I'm feeling like Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, that there's no place like home... both my heart and my mind are telling me the same thing for once... that it's time I go home."

 

"No place like home?" he repeats her words with amusement. "So if you're Dorothy, then am I the Wizard?" he quips slyly.

 

"I was thinking you're more like Toto," she replies with a serious tone.

 

"That little dog?" he frowns unhappily.

 

"Toto was Dorothy's loyal companion through everything that happened, beginning with the storm, and through all the difficulties on her long trek to the Emerald City," Sun-Mi clarifies her point, smiling at him. "I think of you like that."

 

 

"Let's see... if one is Dorothy, and the other is Toto, the third must be Glinda the Good Witch of the South, or else the Wicked Witch of the West," Su-Ji speaks up from the doorway.

 

"If you make a habit of eavesdropping, I'd vote for the Wicked Witch," Min-Cho grouses, annoyed at being interrupted.

 

"I only came out because I'm about to leave," Su-Ji explains her unannounced presence, "and I wanted a word with Sun-Mi first."

 

"Go right ahead," he offers.

 

"Sorry, this is 'Ladies Only' ... so beat it, Toto," Su-Ji orders.

 

"Meong-meong," he barks, then gets up from the table and tells Sun-Mi, "We'll talk more later."

 

"Of course," she answers with a bright smile.

 

 

After Min-Cho goes into the villa, Su-Ji sits down in the chair he just vacated.

 

"If this is about yesterday," Sun-Mi recalls their testy exchange the previous morning. "You know I was just being bitchy. I'm sorry."

 

"Me, too," Su-Ji also apologizes. "I didn't want us to part on a sour note. I was out of line, saying those harsh words. How can I know what you've gone through? And are still going through..."

 

Actually, those were probably among the most honest words anyone ever said to me," Sun-Mi admits, and then confides, "I thought about what you'd said for the rest of the day, and last night, I had that dream again... but this time the ending was different."

 

"Different? How?"

 

"Instead of falling, I could fly..."

 

 

Sun-Mi takes off her sunglasses, smiling as her eyes twinkle. "Let me tell you what the sea looks like today..."

 

Su-Ji is flabbergasted. "This is wonderful, Sun-Mi! ... Did you tell Min-Cho yet?"

 

Sun-Mi shakes her head. "No. I wanted you to be the first to know. Because, actually, it was your being here that truly made the difference for me."

 

"How is that?"

 

"Let me just say, that what Doctor Hunter predicted was correct," Sun-Mi explains. "All it took was for my mind to want something more important than to protect itself... and without you, that might not have happened yesterday."

 

"Now I can leave without worrying over you," Su-Ji shows her relief with a contented smile.

 

"Once you start at Cambridge, you'll be my Junior," Sun-Mi tells her. "We'll have something else in common, besides Min-Cho."

 

"So I'll have to call you 'Senior' even if I don't want to?" Su-Ji gripes lightheartedly.

 

"I wouldn't have it any other way," Sun-Mi replies, reaching out with an open hand.

 

Su-Ji grasps it, their handshake signaling a mutual desire to make a new start.

 

 

Sun-Mi puts her sunglasses on again as she requests, "Before you go, there's something I've wanted to ask."

 

"Yes?"

 

"I've been wondering about this for a long time... how does Min-Cho really feel about me?"

 

"If you don't know, after everything that's happened, you must be blind!" Su-Ji exclaims without thinking, then backtracks, "Sorry..."

 

Sun-Mi laughs. "But you're right. When it comes to relationships, I can be blind to the reality, instead chasing the dreams of what I imagine those relationships to be."

 

"As I see it, Min-Cho is chasing a dream too, with the person he imagines you to be," Su-Ji expresses the misgivings she'd had from the beginning. "As much as I've tried to talk some sense into him, he won't listen, and says the oddest things..."

 

"Like what?" Sun-Mi is curious to hear this side of Min-Cho.

 

"He's been doing a lot of sailing this year, so they're all nautical references, like... 'a sailor prefers a stiff wind to a dead calm, even when it's contrary' and 'I never feel more alive than when I'm facing into the teeth of a heavy gale' ... as if that has anything to do with you."

 

"I think he's admitting I'm a challenge, even for him," Sun-Mi surmises with some humor. "The 'My Fair Lady' thing, remember?"

 

"It's true, Min-Cho thrives on a challenge," Su-Ji agrees.

 

"What I'm trying to figure out... is if Min-Cho loves me as a person, or just loves the challenge..." Sun-Mi shares her confusion.

 

"In my opinion, it's a mix of both," Su-Ji gives her opinion. "But does that matter now? Since the last time we talked, have you settled on your feelings? Do you love Min-Cho, or not?"

 

Sun-Mi sighs. "I don't know if it's love I feel for Min-Cho, or instead I've come to depend on him, and don't want to give that up."

 

"Either way, I won't oppose you anymore," Su-Ji promises.

 

Sun-Mi is curious. "So what changed your mind about me?"

 

"Min-Cho," she replies. "Next to Daddy, he's all I have, and I want to see him happy. If marrying you accomplishes that, then I'm satisfied, too."

 

"Even if I don't love him?"

 

"I believe that you're the kind of person who does her best to fulfill a vow. So whether you love him, or not, isn't important, it's your solemn promise to, and how you treat him that counts," Su-Ji avers. "As long as Min-Cho can't tell the difference, does it matter?"

 

Sun-Mi is about to answer, when they are interrupted by a dog's bark...

 

 

"Meong-meong..."

 

The sound comes from the terrace door, where Min-Cho sticks his head out and says, "Sorry to interrupt, but Tomaso has the car loaded, and is anxious that you don't miss your flight, Su-Ji."

 

Su-Ji and Sun-Mi stand up and hug.

 

"I'll miss you," Sun-Mi says sadly. "Study hard."

 

"I will. I hope things work out for you," Su-Ji replies earnestly, glancing at Min-Cho.

 

 

At the door Su-Ji gives Min-Cho a farewell hug, too. "Don't be a stranger," she tells him, and then hurries off to the waiting car.

 

Min-Cho looks over at Sun-Mi and says, "Shall we continue from where we left off?"

 

"Sure," she agrees. "But first, I have something important to show you..."