AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 142

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2018

 

"Mr. Atwater is a formidable adversary. I doubt that his appearance in Seoul right now is a coincidence" -- Kim Sun-Dal

 

 

MBS CHARITY GALA, GRAND BALLROOM, MUN-YUNG DIAMOND HOTEL ...

 

"It looks like Young-Mi really is the Queen of MBS now," Cho-Jeh sourly concludes after watching Young-Mi take a place at the MBS management table.

 

"Who'd have believed this could ever happen?" Jin-Soo marvels, as the wait staff delivers loaded plates to the MBS employees table that he and Cho-Jeh are sharing with Kim Sun-Dal, Yoo Joo-Hee, Shin Ki-Jong, and Lee Kyung-Hee.

 

"Young-Mi finally has what she strived so hard for," Kyung-Hee observes. "It's ironic that she had to forget who she was to get there."

 

"Who says God doesn't have a sense of humor?" Ki-Jong chuckles as he stuffs a forkful of prime beef steak into his mouth.

 

 

"But Young-Mi truly seems to be a different person now," Joo-Hee interjects supportively. "While training her, I never saw a bit of the old Young-Mi."

 

"Do you think she'll be satisfied as just a wife and mother, living in her husband's shadow?" Kyung-Hee questions Young-Mi's future contentment, in light of her previous ambitions.

 

Joo-Hee, catching the inference underlying Kyung-Hee's cutting remark, shows a brittle smile. "Some women actually choose that life," she defends against the oblique attack. "A career isn't everything, you know..."

 

"Says someone who had the choice of when to end her career," Kyung-Hee bitterly lashes out.

 

 

Intending to quench the exchange before it overheats, Sun-Dal cautions, "Ladies? Remember why we're here tonight..."

 

"Actually, I'm beginning to wonder if was worth the trouble coming just because we had these tickets," Kyung-Hee grouses.

 

"It's worth it, just for the food!" Ki-Jong chips in his droll opinion. "Right, 'Minefield'?" he addresses Jin-Soo, who is devoting his full attention to attacking his own steak with knife and fork...

 

"Huh?" Jin-Soo looks up, oblivious to the topic at hand.

 

"The food?" Ki-Jong prompts.

 

"Uh.... Where can we get seconds?" Jin-Soo guesses, bewildered. "Was that the question?"

 

"Idiot," Ki-Jong expresses his disdain.

 

 

With the chance of open war between the two senior women averted, Cho-Jeh resumes celebrity-spotting, scanning the nearby tables for gossip-worthy incidents to collect.

 

Then she notices Sun-Mi is at the ballroom doorway, watching out into the lobby, her back to the room...

 

"Hey, Jin-Soo, look... it's Sun-Mi," she informs him quietly, nudging his arm.

 

When Jin-Soo looks up, his mouth gapes open as he stares, exclaiming, "That's Sun-Mi?"

 

Hearing this, the others at the table look, too...

 

Sun-Mi is dressed in an elegant, liquid gold lam� and black lace d�grad� silk column gown. The sleeveless, off the shoulder, form-fitting gold bodice, shallow scooped in front, has an open back with fine lacing that dips daringly to her waist. Below the waist the bodice seamlessly melds into a gold-streaked, black lace skirt that grazes the floor.

 

Bright sparks of light shimmer iridescently across the dress with the slightest move, the narrow, semi-transparent skirt parting to reveal her crystal-embellished, black Ren� Caovilla snake-coil pumps. A mirror gold Saint Laurent envelope clutch in her left hand, sparkling diamond drop earrings, and a diamond bracelet on her right wrist, complete the unfussy, sophisticated look.

 

"Watch it!" Cho-Jeh whispers jealously to Jin-Soo as he gawks. "You're drooling!"

 

"Oh..." Seeing her cross expression, he wipes at his mouth with his napkin, and sheepishly goes back to a safer activity... eating... that the other two men have already resumed, on their own initiative from prior experience, sending only quick, furtive glances in Sun-Mi's direction.

 

 

When Sun-Mi turns to look into the ballroom, Cho-Jeh takes the opportunity to wave, catching her eye...

 

Seeing her friends, Sun-Mi waves back. Then lifting the front of her skirt slightly, so her tall stiletto heels won't catch in the hem, she hurries over, eager to sit with someone she knows. Arriving at the table, she bows, greeting the Seniors respectfully.

 

"Have a seat, Sun-Mi," Joo-Hee offers coolly, more from politeness than welcoming. "Please join us."

 

"Thank you," Sun-Mi replies as she slides onto the empty chair next to Cho-Jeh, uncomfortably aware of the chilly glare Kyung-Hee has fixed on her.

 

"We were waiting at the red carpet forever for you," Cho-Jeh gripes, demanding an explanation for Sun-Mi's no-show. "What happened? Where's your date?"

 

"I came straight from the office -- and the traffic was terrible," Sun-Mi makes the usual Seoul excuse. "Min-Cho said he'd meet me here. That's why I was waiting at the door."

 

 

"Your gown is... lovely," Joo-Hee extends the compliment with a tight, thin smile.

 

From Joo-Hee's tone and expression, Sun-Mi senses that she is unhappy at her presence, and the inevitable comparisons that will be made.

 

"Thank you... But yours is so elegant," Sun-Mi admiringly returns the compliment. "The color compliments your skin tone perfectly!"

 

Joo-Hee is wearing a strapless, ruby silk chiffon empire-waist dress with a floor-length, flowing A-line skirt to hide her five-month baby bump.

 

"You really think so?" Joo-Hee, while pleased, is wary of being flattered.

 

"Senior, as always, your style sense is amazing," Sun-Mi layers it on. "Didn't you know? You set the standard of how to dress professionally for our office -- everyone looked up to you."

 

"Why... umm... of course, I had to set a good example," Joo-Hee deflects Sun-Mi's lavish praise while basking in it.

 

"This dress, you got it at Madame Kim's, right?" Sun-Mi asks.

 

"Yes," Joo-Hee affirms. "What about yours? I haven't seen any like it at the boutiques."

 

"It's by Reem Acra," Sun-Mi replies proudly. "She's a Lebanese designer in New York, famous for her bridal gown collections. After I did a segment covering her for 'Fashion Today!', we became friends. She was willing to create this in a rush specifically for me."

 

 

Up close now, Cho-Jeh studies Sun-Mi's dress in detail. Looking like it was poured over Sun-Mi's svelte, athletically trim torso, the lustrous bodice smoothly envelopes her curves as closely as a surgical glove. A generous sprinkling of tiny hand-sewn Swarovski crystals creates the sparkling highlights on the shimmery fabric, like pinpoints of sunlight dancing on the surface of a reflecting pool.

 

"My god, it's so tight!" Cho-Jeh raves, noting no visible zipper. "How did you ever fit into it? With all this fine detailing, it must be very expensive, right?" she plies Sun-Mi for more information.

 

"Umm..." Sun-Mi declines to answer.

 

But Kyung-Hee presses. "Yes... tell us, Sun-Mi. How many people's livelihoods does a gown like this cost?" she charges scathingly.

 

"Er..." Sun-Mi looks down uncomfortably, at a loss of what to say...

 

 

Ki-Jong, shooting his fianc�e a warning glance, redirects the conversation to a less contentious topic, "I heard that the new News format is a smashing success!"

 

"The ratings keep going up," Sun-Mi confirms, thankful for a reprieve. "Viewer acceptance is much better than I expected."

 

"So it wasn't that the previous format was stale, and by comparison, the former announcers just weren't very good?" Kyung-Hee pounces again, repeating gossip raised in the tabloid media, while checking Joo-Hee for her reaction.

 

"Yeah... everyone in the office was talking about that story," Jin-Soo chimes in thoughtlessly. "It was a really big scand... Ow! ..."

 

"Hey!" He glares sharply at Cho-Jeh, who kicks him with the pointed toe of her shoe again, just for good measure.

 

"I... I never said that," Sun-Mi, flustered by the unprovoked attack, defends herself against the charge. "That report was a lie!"

 

"I never believed it myself, either," Joo-Hee responds graciously, supporting Sun-Mi, while turning a harsh eye at Kyung-Hee, "I don't know how anyone could ever think anonymous reports like those might be true."

 

 

Scowling, Kyung-Hee declares, "I think I need some fresh air... The atmosphere is too stifling in here!"

 

She abruptly gets up and steps away from the table, then stops to wait for Ki-Jong, who is still busily clearing his plate.

 

"Shin Ki-Jong!" Kyung-Hee calls his name sharply to get his attention.

 

"Huh?" He looks up, his mouth full, and mumbles, "Oh... Sure..."

 

Quickly swallowing with a gulp of table wine, he grabs his side plate, pre-stacked high with hors d'oeuvres.

 

"We need to go back and feed the dog now." He makes an excuse for their leaving early, as he dumps the contents of the plate into a paper bag he pulls from his jacket pocket.

 

Then with Kyung-Hee's glowering face urging him on, he laughs nervously at his own joke. "Heh, heh... I was born in the Dog year... Nice seeing you Sun-Mi..."

 

 

After the couple leaves, the mood at the table is still subdued...

 

Breaking the awkward silence, Jin-Soo cluelessly asks, "When did he get a dog?"

 

"Just shut up, idiot!" Cho-Jeh hisses under her breath.

 

 

Sun-Mi is quiet, looking down guiltily at the table, unsure of what to do next.

 

"Don't consider it personally, Sun-Mi," Joo-Hee encourages her. "Kyung-Hee is just taking these circumstances hard."

 

Sun-Mi sighs. "But I still feel responsible. Can anything be done, Uncle?" she addresses Sun-Dal intentionally using their personal affiliation, hoping to better persuade him.

 

"Until things turn around," he offers his standard excuse, "it's out of my hands..."

 

 

Redirecting the conversation, Joo-Hee suggests, "Please, Sun-Mi, have something to eat. It's late, you must be hungry."

 

As the banquet was served pre-plated, American style, and Sun-Mi was absent when the courses were brought, the place setting at her seat is empty...

 

"Let me call the wait staff over," Sun-Dal offers.

 

"Thanks, but I'll just have some appetizers," Sun-Mi replies, reaching for a plate with her left hand, right in front of Cho-Jeh.

 

 

A loud clattering of metal on porcelain sounds as Cho-Jeh's fork drops, along with her mouth... exactly the reaction Sun-Mi is hoping for...

 

Excitedly, Cho-Jeh squeals, "Oh... My... God... Sun-Mi! ... That ring! ... You're engaged?!"

 

Every eye at the table focuses on Sun-Mi's left hand, and her sparkling blue diamond engagement ring...

 

 

Joo-Hee is the first to speak up. "Congratulations, Sun-Mi," she says warmly. "What a beautiful ring."

 

"When did it happen? Why didn't you say anything? You couldn't tell your best friend first?" The questions pour out, once Cho-Jeh recovers from her initial shock.

 

"We've just told my parents. Since then, you're the first to know," Sun-Mi assuages her friend's feelings.

 

"Have you set a wedding date?" Sun-Dal asks.

 

"Well... not actually... yet," Sun-Mi answers ambiguously, trying to avoid discussing any details of her sham engagement.

 

 

"There you are, Sun-Mi!" Min-Cho appears, coming to her rescue...

 

 

He walks up beside Sun-Mi as she stands to introduce him. "Everyone, this is Min-Cho Atwater, my fianc�e..."

 

Sun-Dal rises to shake Min-Cho's hand. "Mr. Atwater, we finally meet in person... I'm MBS Director Kim Sun-Dal."

 

"Director Kim," Min-Cho replies guardedly. "It's good to be able to put a face to our negotiations..."

 

"This is my wife, Yoo Joo-Hee," Sun-Dal motions in her direction.

 

Min-Cho bows politely. "The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Kim..."

 

"Congratulations on your engagement, Mr. Atwater," Joo-Hee replies from her seat.

 

"Thank you... Sun-Mi has often expressed how you were her role model and mentor, the person most responsible for shaping her abilities and inspiring her to succeed," Min-Cho pours on the compliments. "Meeting you in person, now I can see why she spoke so effusively..."

 

"Why... er..."Joo-Hee blushes at the extravagant praise. "Sun-Mi became my best pupil, you know..."

 

"And for your efforts, you have my eternal gratefulness," he replies. "Without your encouragement, Sun-Mi would never have come to London... And the rest is history, as they say..."

 

 

Sun-Mi continues the introductions: "This is my best friend, Jo Cho-Jeh, and her fianc�e, Choi Jin-Soo."

 

"Mr. Choi, Ms. Jo," Min-Cho nods a quick greeting, then states, "Sun-Mi is fortunate to have such good friends as you."

 

Then he addresses everyone at the table: "I'm pleased that I happened to be in Seoul at this time, and so, able to meet you. Sun-Mi and I will be honored if all of you can attend our wedding next year."

 

 

Turning to Sun-Mi he requests, "Can you come with me now?"

 

"Umm..." she looks back at the food she still hasn't touched, and answers quietly, "I'd like to eat something first, if possible..."

 

"Please, come back and join us later. "I'll have plates brought for both of you," Sun-Dal offers.

 

 

"Thank you, Director, but we have seats waiting for us at the KAIROS table," Min-Cho declines politely, looking again to Sun-Mi to urge their departure.

 

"I'll be going first, then," she says, taking Min-Cho's arm.

 

She calls back to Cho-Jeh as Min-Cho escorts her away, "Maybe we can meet up later tonight...?"

 

But Cho-Jeh is occupied with watching Jin-Soo jealously as his eyes stray, following Sun-Mi's lissome form. Delivering another hard kick to the shin, she reminds him to keep his attention where it belongs...

 

She grumbles under her breath, "How can Sun-Mi be so lucky? She always gets a Prince, while I'm stuck with a Joker!"

 

Jin-Soo, hearing the personal knock, and already in the doghouse, wisely decides to hold back comment. Instead he whispers something into Cho-Jeh's ear...

 

Eyes sparkling, she smiles and nods, and they get up to leave, too...

 

 

Left at the table, Joo-Hee asks her husband, "What do you make of Mr. Atwater, now that you've met in person?"

 

"Your opinion first, my dear," Sun-Dal seeks to draw her out.

 

"He's quite charming, and handsome," she notes. "And he seems to care a lot for Sun-Mi. I can see it in his eyes, how he looks at her.

 

"Something like how I look at you?" Sun-Dal asks, hinting. "Or better?"

 

"I'm quite satisfied with your eyes on me," she reassures him. "What do you think?"

 

It's clear that Mr. Atwater is a formidable adversary " Sun-Dal contemplates their brief encounter. "But I doubt that his appearance in Seoul right now is a coincidence..."