AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 183

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2018

 

"Why hold back? Find your happiness with Yoon Hyung-Chul.... There's nothing to keep you apart now." -- Min-Cho Atwater

 

 

MUN-YUNG PHYSICAL REHABILITATION CENTER, SEOUL ...

 

"This meeting of the Caritas Board of Directors shall officially come to order..."

 

Ha Jin-Woo, 100% business in his crisp Hugo Boss navy pinstriped suit and polished black Bruno Magli wingtips, makes the solemn declaration as he liberally pours Chablis Grand Cru into the three goblets lined up on the polished mahogany coffee table...

 

Slouching in the overstuffed chair on Jin-Woo's right, Min-Cho looks relaxed in his J.Crew khakis, blue sweatshirt, and boat shoes, having just flown in from Busan at Jin-Woo's summons.

 

He leans forward and reaches for two of the glasses, handing one to Sun-Mi, who is curled up on the loveseat, directly across the table from Jin-Woo.

 

She returns a smile as she takes the glass by the stem.

 

For the impromptu meeting in her ensuite sitting area, Sun-Mi has dressed in white Rachel Zoe wide-legged capris and a red Eileen Fisher Merino pullover sweater with a handkerchief hem. In keeping with her casual look, she had gathered her hair back in a loose ponytail, and accessorized with a simple gold cable chain necklace and gold huggy, double-loop earrings.

 

 

"First item on our agenda is a toast," Jin-Woo declares ebulliently, raising his goblet.

 

Min-Cho raises his next... "Here's to Sun-Mi's miraculous comeback... again!"

 

"And to a full recovery," Jin-Woo adds.

 

Three glasses come together with the clear ring of fine leaded crystal...

 

 

"Thanks for organizing this, Min-Cho," Sun-Mi says after she savors the White Burgundy's crisp, fruity aroma and dry, acidy flavor. "It's nice to all be together again."

 

"How is it going?" he asks.

 

"The therapist says I'm improving every day, but I think she's being generous," Sun-Mi informs them of her uneven progress. "It'll be a while, but as soon as I'm back on my game, I intend to give you a thorough drubbing," she nonchalantly lobs the challenge to her court competitors.

 

"I'm looking forward to the opportunity," Jin-Woo returns her invitation backhanded. "But for now, we need to focus on the next item on the agenda -- our upcoming meeting with the MBS Board."

 

 

With the introduction of this topic, Sun-Mi's enthusiasm noticeably cools...

 

"About that, I have something to say first," she warns them, before dropping the bomb... �

 

"I'd like you to withdraw my nomination from the vote for Chairman of the Board."

 

 

Min-Cho is stunned. "But why? You've come so far to back off now, when your dream is almost in hand."

 

"Do I need explain?" Sun-Mi demurs succinctly, her tone brittle at his unwelcome intrusion.

 

"No... But it's too late to change the paperwork now," Jin-Woo apprises her of the impact if she follows through with her intentions. "Any changes now, and we jeopardize the whole deal."

 

Sun-Mi looks to Min-Cho for relief...

 

"He's right," Min-Cho concurs, disregarding the disappointment in her eyes. "We need you in this, Sun-Mi. Once everything's settled, then if you want, you can quit."

 

Resigned to the circumstances, she concedes to their wishes blandly, "All right, if I have to."

 

 

But now Min-Cho is curious about her sudden change of attitude...

 

"Is it because of Kim Eun-Ki?" he conjectures.

 

"Am I that easy to read?" Sun-Mi grumbles, admitting he is spot on. "Yes -- part of it is that I'm not confident I can face up to him now."

 

"But you've dealt with Kim effectively before," Jin-Woo points out the facts encouragingly.

 

"It's just that the bastard is getting off scot-free!" she responds heatedly, her eyes flashing angry sparks. "I'm not sure I can restrain myself from going after him."

 

"Do you still feel that intensely?" Min-Cho asks, surprised by her vehemence.

 

"It's not just my feelings, but how others will think," she elaborates on her concern. "I know some Directors oppose a woman as Chairman... so an emotional display will only confirm their bias that females are too unstable."

 

"Let's cross that bridge when we come to it," Min-Cho advises. "First we have to secure the votes, or it doesn't make any difference."

 

"I've been working with the Yoon's on trying to persuade some of President Kim's weaker allies to defect," Jin-Woo reports. "But for every move we make, Kim was prescient, with a counter already in hand."

 

 

Min-Cho's brow wrinkles as he ponders the situation. "That seems like an amazing coincidence," he observes. "Is it possible that Director Yoon is secretly trying to torpedo us?"

 

Jin-Woo counters the speculation, "Why do you think that? He approached us first, offering cooperation against our common enemy."

 

"But the difference in outcomes is significant... If we win, he loses control of MBS -- his family legacy -- forever. On the other hand, if Kim wins this round, Director Yoon is still alive to fight another day," Min-Cho lays out his scenarios.

 

"Then you're not saying this because of your personal rivalry?" Jin-Woo drags the invisible elephant front and center.

 

Min-Cho looks over at Sun-Mi before he answers...

 

"We buried that hatchet, deciding we have more in common than in opposition," he insists. "My concern was a hypothetical, that's all."

 

 

Listening in with growing disgruntlement, Sun-Mi finally blurts out, "Senior's not the kind of person to act deceitfully!"

 

His hand duly slapped, Min-Cho defends his proposition vigorously. "That leaves Director Kim Sun-Dal, Director Yoo, his daughter Yoo Joo-Hee, and Chairman Yoon himself as potential suspects," he lists the remaining options. "Not your typical rogue's gallery."

 

Aware of the rising tension between the other two, Jin-Woo makes a strategic move...

 

"Accusations at this point are useless, without proof," he preemptively tables the debate before it escalates further. "Let me investigate things further, and see if I can ferret out a mole, if one exists."

 

He makes a show of checking his watch, then announces, "Speaking of which, I have an appointment with Director Kim later. Sorry to run off like this, but I'll have to leave the rest of the celebration to you two to conclude."

 

 

Jin-Woo drains his glass, grabs the handle of his black leather Burberry briefcase, and stands up to leave.

 

"I'll catch you tomorrow," he says to Min-Cho, and then to Sun-Mi, "I owe you a New York breakfast, as soon as you're discharged."

 

"My mouth is already watering!" she exclaims cheerily.

 

"So... see you later," Jin-Woo excuses himself with a quick wave.

 

 

His departure leaves Min-Cho and Sun-Mi awkwardly facing each other...

 

Sun-Mi puts down her wineglass, finds her slippers with her feet, and gets up, crossing the room to look out the window. The trees and shrubbery of the Center's grounds just starting to leaf out, signaling the imminent arrival of Spring.

 

She contemplates the view while preparing what to say...

 

"Daddy told me you came that night, to the hospital. I appreciate that. But since... you've been avoiding me. Why?"

 

"After you left me behind in Jeju, I realized that I'd started assuming too much," he answers candidly. "Coming to Seoul just reinforced that feeling. Since then, I didn't know what to say or do, so I stayed away..."

 

Sun-Mi turns her head to look back at him.

 

"It has to be hard, dealing with someone so capricious as me," she acknowledges. "I'd understand if you're jealous, or angry, or disappointed... but what I can't stand, is that you're treating me like a stranger."

 

"My intent wasn't to hurt you," he apologizes. "To be honest, I was struggling with all those feelings. Seeing you would have just made it harder, trying to sort things out."

 

"And have you done that?"

 

 

Min-Cho gets up and joins Sun-Mi at the window, standing beside her, shoulder to shoulder...

 

"Yes, but I have to take another viewpoint. In making it all about me, I'd forgot my proper place," he replies.

 

"What place is that?"

 

"Meong-meong," he barks, his face crinkling in a wide grin.

 

 

Sun-Mi laughs at his comical expression.

 

He places his arm across her shoulders, reinforcing his commitment to their friendship.

 

She leans against him, resting her head on his broad chest, comfortable in his protective embrace...

 

"Regardless of the outcome, after we wrap up business here, the Priceless Pearl is waiting at her slip in Busan," he lets her know his offer still stands.

 

Sun-Mi raises her eyes, to look at him gratefully...

 

"Let's put that cruise off for a while, okay? Right now I won't look so good in a bikini," she quips, referring to the scar where In-Soo's knife had sliced her waist open.

 

They share a laugh at her joke, even as it reminds them of how that had almost cost her life.

 

 

"I had the berth remodeled so it can be divided in two, if needed," he confirms his willingness to accept Sun-Mi's choice.

 

"I think you're assuming too much again," she finally says. "The outcome isn't decided..."

 

Min-Cho is doubtful...

 

"Why hold back? Find your happiness with Yoon Hyung-Chul," he encourages her. "There's nothing to keep you apart now."

 

"Nothing, at all," Sun-Mi concurs, "except me, and my dream..."