AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 136

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2018

 

"With Jin Sun-Mi, who knows what scandal or disaster will happen next?" -- Announcer 1 Team staff

 

 

The metallic gold Lamborghini Diablo 6.0 VT coupé slows and turns off Yeouinaru-ro into the MBS main gate, the deep-throated rumble of a V12 5.7L engine and the unusual shape of the sports car catching the eyes of the stream of employees coming into work.

 

The security officer in the guard shack, recognizing the car from the morning list of expected arrivals, waves it through immediately. Angling right to circle around the surface lot, the car turns into a parking space signed 'RESERVED PARKING ONLY' and decelerates to a smooth stop.

 

Curious onlookers pause to watch as the driver's side gull-wing door smoothly swings up with a motorized hum, and long, willowy legs swing out, planting the 115mm tall spike heels and sharply pointed red soles of electric blue Christian Louboutin sling-backs firmly onto the pavement.

 

The woman, sporting large, silver-framed Oakley sunglasses, alights from the low, black leather cockpit seat with graceful ease. She reaches back into the car to take out a slim Céline office bag, casually slings the narrow strap over her shoulder, and clicks the car's key fob ...

 

Following a series of three brief beeps that chirp a warning, the door glides down and latches shut.

 

She glances up at the 180-meter tall red brick and glass tower with much the same awe she had regarded it on arriving for her first day as a rookie trainee.

 

But today she has an additional reason to marvel -- the entire side is covered by a massive building wrap poster that displays one of the most recognized faces in South Korea, along with the announcement ...

 

Delivering the News with Style ...

Anchor Jin Sun Mi

MBS News at Nine -- Weeknights

 

As she reads, a question from the past comes to mind ... 'Why don’t you try harder and become a celebrity?' ...

 

A smile curves approvingly on her liquid crimson lips at the definitive evidence that she has indeed attained that celebrity, with a flush of pride at her hard-won accomplishment.

 

The question lingers only for a moment before she dismisses it, musing, "What would Senior say to me today?"

 

Her eyes move to the tenth floor, searching out a certain set of windows, to see if she has a particular audience of one that could answer that conjecture.

 

Anyone looking back down from the tower at the same time would undoubtedly notice the bright spot of lemon yellow that her Valentino suit makes against the drab gray pavement on this dull, overcast morning.

 

 

A growing gaggle of gawkers confirms to Sun-Mi that her expectations for a grand entrance have succeeded. Within minutes, she knows the ubiquitous gossip chain will notify the entire MBS complex that Jin Sun-Mi has arrived ...

 

Conspicuously self-confident, ignoring the stunned stares and whispered words abuzz in her wake, she strikes a bee-line for the main entrance -- all eyes following her slim, strutting stems that stretch between sky-high heels and hip-hugging skirt -- until she disappears through the revolving doors.

 

 

Sun-Mi had pushed through these doors innumerable mornings, crossing the open, high-ceiling transition space to the bank of lifts that whisked her up into the MBS media machine for another day of work, usually a daily ritual of familiar sameness that drew little thought or attention on her part.

 

But today is different ...

 

Inside, a throng, tipped off by rapidly transmitted IMs, occupies the entry lobby to capacity. Alerted by the commotion outside, the crowd is primed, breaking out in spontaneous applause as Sun-Mi appears.

 

She pauses, seeming surprised at the clamorous reception, scanning the assembly of both familiar and unfamiliar faces. Beaming a wide smile, she bows and greets them with genuine gratitude ...

 

"Thank you ... Thank you all so much, for welcoming me back ..."

 

As Sun-Mi moves forward, the crowd parts to both sides like the Red Sea before Moses, opening for her to pass through to the lifts. Shaking an extended hand, waving to someone in the back, exchanging a smile or a word, she slowly makes her way to a waiting lift car with the doors held open for her.

 

 

Stepping inside the car, she turns to face out as one last person squeezes in, her friend Jo Cho-Jeh ...

 

"Sun-Mi, I'm so glad you're here again!" Cho-Jeh exclaims excitedly as she links arms. "We have so much to talk about!"

 

"Let's do that later," Sun-Mi replies, conscious of the surrounding ears.

 

"Which floor, Correspondent Jin?" a helpful voice asks.

 

Sun-Mi returns a smile and requests, "Ten, please ..."

 

 

LATER ...

 

"The reception party in the front lobby, were you behind that?" ...

 

Sun-Mi makes the accusation to her new boss, Director Kim Sun-Dal, as they stroll from his office back to the lifts.

 

"It wasn't me," he assures her. "Why ... were you planning to sneak in today incognito?"

 

"Actually, I held a 'grand entrance' of my own, out in front," she confesses. "But this was a total surprise!"

 

"Can't you believe people are just excited to have you back?"

 

"To tell the truth, it's humbling," Sun-Mi replies, "to think people have such trust in me. What if I don't measure up to their expectations? How could I face them?"

 

"Let's focus on success, before we worry about failure," Sun-Dal encourages her, pressing the DOWN button to call the car.

 

"Right,"she smile sheepishly. "Thanks again for your confidence in me."

 

He grins back. "You're thanking the wrong person. Honestly, I was hesitant at first when Michael Atweter called, but Joo-Hee persuaded me. She said you were the only one she fully trusted to replace her."

 

Sun-Mi is astonished. "Senior said that?"

 

 

The lift car arrives and the doors slide open. Sun-Mi steps in, followed by Sun-Dal.

 

"Believe me, as much as Joo-Hee loves being a mother, she didn't give up her position easily," he describes his wife's struggle.

 

"Working full time while pregnant, and raising two children ... I don't know how she managed," Sun-Mi says admiringly.

 

 

Sun-Dal presses the button to go down and the doors start to close.

 

"It's because she's Type-A," he describes his wife's driven personality. "She'd work up to her delivery date if she could, so your decision to come back made it easier for her to listen to reason."

 

"I hope she and I can get together soon," Sun-Mi suggests. "We have a lot to catch up on."

 

"I'll ask if we can have you over for dinner next week," Sun-Dal offers, "That is, if you don't mind two kids whining the whole time."

 

"I'd love to see your children!" she enthuses, teasing him, "Now I can be the Auntie who spoils them, just like you spoiled me!"

 

"Your father didn't need any help," he notes, laughing. "He was never able to deny you anything .. with that cute little pout and your puppy-dog eyes, he'd melt like ice cream on a summer day."

 

"So that's all I have to do, and I'll get my way here, too?" She mischievously demonstrates the face that he's just described.

 

"If it were up to me ..." Sun-Dal chuckles at her expression. "But unfortunately, President Kim works strictly by the numbers."

 

"Right ... by the book," she replies cynically, openly showing her disdain.

 

Catching her tone, Sun-Dal comments, "That sounds personal. What do you have against Kim?"

 

"When I worked for him, we had our 'differences', and when I put my foot down hard, he wasn't happy about it," she replies vaguely.

 

"Kim isn't my favorite person, either, but he's the boss, so we have to work with him," he cautions. "Just try to keep your attitude civil."

 

"That's easy for you to say!" she snaps, her voice icy, "He never tried to rape you, has he?"

 

Sun-Dal is stunned by the allegation. "Huh? What this?"

 

 

"It happened in London. He propositioned me, threatening to withhold my transfer to GNN, and when I refused him, he attacked me," she gives the facts straight, keeping her emotions in careful check, as if reading about the incident from a newspaper.

 

"That bastard!" he growls, his face darkening with protective rage. "I swear ... I'll kill him!"

 

Surprised at Sun-Dal's strong reaction, Sun-Mi hastily tries to rein him back, "There's no need, Uncle. I got away, so nothing happened. Besides, someone is already in line before you."

 

"Michael Atwater?" he guesses the obvious, his estimation of the man going up significantly.

 

"Yes."

 

Not entirely appeased, Sun-Dal makes his stance plain, "If he says one word out-of-line, or makes the slightest move at you, I want to know ... I won't wait for Mr. Atwater, I'll have the honor for myself!"

 

 

The elevator stops, and the doors slide open, revealing a short queue waiting to get on.

 

"Thank you, I'll keep that thought in mind, Director," she replies like they are talking about any matter of business as they step into the lift lobby and turn to the right, heading down the corridor towards the announcers' offices.

 

Calmer now, he ponders, "Where were we?"

 

"Joo-Hee ... " Sun-Mi picks up on their interrupted discussion about her job responsibilities. "When is she coming back to work?"

 

"Actually, I'm trying to convince her to quit for good," Sun-Dal confides. "But she's worried about the money on just one income. Raising kids is expensive!"

 

"You're a Director now, why is that a problem?"

 

Sun-Dal lowers his voice in answer, "Much of my income is bonuses tied to profit. With ratings and revenue down, no profits, no bonuses. On top of that, President Kim has frozen budgets and indefinitely postponed executive increases until he restructures the company."

 

 

Sun-Mi's suspicions are aroused, "If budgets are frozen, how can you afford to bring in outside talent, like me?"

 

Sun-Dal is trying to decide how much to tell her as they turn the corner outside the Announcer 1 Team office. From the open doorway, they hear loud, contentious voices inside ...

 

Standing just outside the door, they can't see, or be seen, as they listen to the exchange. Some voices Sun-Mi recognizes as those of her former colleagues, but others she can't identify ...

 

 

"Senior Yoo was one cold bitch, but at least people respected her."

 

"I can't believe I'm sorry to see her go."

 

"Yeah, with Yoo Joo-Hee everyone knew what to expect. But with Jin Sun-Mi, who knows what scandal or disaster will happen next?"

 

"She might be the Goddess of Luck, but it's bad luck for everyone else ..."

 

 

Sun-Dal glances at Sun-Mi to see her reaction to the unvarnished criticism. She looks back, her face grim.

 

After a few laughs, the conversation continues ...

 

"We shouldn't be so critical, surely the Company must have good reasons for bringing her back."

 

"How about millions of 'good reasons'? ... Her new boyfriend, that London billionaire, is a big investor ... I'll bet he's backing her."

 

"How else could Jin Sun-Mi demand a contract double what Yoo Joo-Hee made, and get it from that tightwad Kim?"

 

"You think that's why she dumped Director Yoon, just to sink her claws into someone with more clout?"

 

"That's just jealous rumors ... Jin Sun-Mi's not that kind of person!"

 

"I agree. She was always nice to me."

 

"Maybe she was nice then, but they say money shows a person's true colors."

 

"Now that she's some kind of diva, of course she needs a big wad to afford all those expensive duds."

 

"Director Kim will probably retrench a few more of us next month too, just so Jin Sun-Mi can keep herself in top style!"

 

 

Morose laughter follows, until the grumbling continues ...

 

"How can they treat us like this? They say we're like family, but all that matters is profits!"

 

"They don't value loyalty anymore. All that counts now is if you're a big celebrity."

 

"Well, that's why reality bites!"

 

"Hey, check the time! They'll be here any minute ..."

 

The discussion ends abruptly, as footsteps and the sound of chairs moving indicate people are returning back to their desks.

 

 

Sun-Mi glares at Sun-Dal sending a clear message ... 'We need to talk ... now!' ...

 

They turn back, heading toward the nearby canteen where they can converse in private.

 

Out of earshot of the office, Sun-Dal sums up the situation, "What did you expect? That coming back would be easy? ..."