AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 189

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2018

 

"Let's begin our vote for the next Chair of MBS. As agreed, strike off the name of the Nominee not present." -- Chairman Yoon Jong-Ki

 

 

EXECUTIVE BOARD ROOM, MBS YEOUIDO HQ ...

 

"In closing, I'd like to emphasize that as Chairman, I will seek to continue the winning strategies that have brought MBS to the forefront of Korea's broadcast media under my leadership as President... Thank you."

 

Standing at the podium located in the open end of the U-shaped conference room seating arrangement, Kim Eun-Ki concludes his final statement to the assembled Board and senior management of MBS...

 

Half the assembly applauds vigorously for their champion, while the other half responds tepidly.

 

"President Kim, please take your seat," Chairman Yoon Jong-Ki directs.

 

Then he speaks to the admin standing by a door at the far end of the conference room near the podium, leading to a side room....

 

"Bring in the next nominee," he orders the young man.

 

All eyes move in expectation to the doorway.

 

The admin opens the door and looks into the room, only to immediately turn back, puzzled...

 

"No one is there," he relates the situation.

 

Murmuring breaks out among the Directors at this unexpected turn...

 

Hyung-Chul leans over and confers in a whisper to Ha Jin-Woo, who is in the seat next to him, "You've heard nothing from Sun-Mi?"

 

"Just a text that she had something important to do first," Jin-Woo whispers back. "She didn't respond after that."

 

"Maybe it's for the better," Hyung-Chul concludes. "I don't know what she could do to make an impression on the Board at this point anyway..."

 

 

Jong-Ki gavels the meeting back to order, looking at Jin-Woo for an explanation...

 

"Director Ha, do you know the whereabouts of the nominee?"

 

"Jin Sun-Mi... is unavoidably delayed, and unable to attend the meeting at this time," Jin-Woo concocts a plausible response.

 

"That didn't answer my question." Jong-Ki points out the fudge.

 

"Actually, I don't know where Jin Sun-Mi is," Jin-Woo admits. "I've been unable to contact her recently."

 

Another chorus of murmurs circulates the table...

 

 

"This is highly irregular," a Director solidly in Kim Eun-Ki's camp speaks up, "How can a nominee not bother to show up?"

 

"Was she ever a serious candidate?" another Director adds skeptically. "Is she even qualified, acting so unreliably?"

 

"Until we know the reason for Jin Sun-Mi's absence, it's inappropriate to draw conclusions on her credibility," Hyung-Chul counters, swimming against the tide.

 

"President Kim, as a nominee, may we have your opinion?" Jong-Ki requests.

 

"Personally, I have nothing against Jin Sun-Mi, and would like her to have every opportunity in this election," Eun-Ki replies magnanimously, "but the point is well made, a nominee needs to be present."

 

"Anyone else?" Jong-Ki scans the room, looking for final input, and seeing none apparent, follows procedure, "Is there a motion?"

 

 

No one replies -- the Directors backing Kim not wanting to appear overtly partisan, and the Directors backing Sun-Mi still holding out...

 

 

"This isn�t the first time Jin Sun-Mi has disappeared without explanation," Sun-Dal unexpectedly argues against his own candidate. "I move that a nominee not present when balloting commences, be automatically disqualified."

 

Hyung-Chul glares at his best friend, stunned by the public break against Sun-Mi in support of Eun-Ki.

 

Jin-Woo grumbles under his breath, "The traitor strikes again..."

 

"Is there a second?" Jong-Ki asks, again following procedure against his wishes.

 

"I second," Yoo Seung-Hwan supports his son-in-law's motion. "Given her absence, I wonder now myself if Jin Sun-Mi really wants the position."

 

 

The entire Yoon faction, including the Directors affiliated with Director Yoo, is stunned by this latest defection...

 

Eun-Ki smiles smugly, pleased at the dissention splitting his opponents' solidarity, confident now of certain victory.

 

 

"It is moved and seconded," Jong-Ki declares reluctantly. "Mr. Secretary? The vote is yours to conduct."

 

"Chairman, I protest at this last minute change in procedure," Jin-Woo belatedly tries to stop the move on a point of order.

 

"The bylaws do not prohibit it," Secretary Oh quashes the contention, then begins the vote: "All in favor of the motion, say 'Aye'..."

 

A chorus of 'Aye' sounds from around the table, including Sun-Dal, Seung-Hwan, and their affiliated Directors.

 

"All opposed, say 'Nay' ..."

 

Hyung-Chul and his faction of Directors declare their vote in opposition.

 

"Chairman Yoon, the 'Ayes' have it," Secretary Oh states the decision.

 

 

With the matter decided, Jong-Ki announces, "Let's begin our vote for the next Chair of MBS. As agreed, strike off the name of the Nominee not present, and..."

 

 

He is interrupted by a loud knock on the main door leading to the corridor...

 

When Jong-Ki signals the staffer to open, Sun-Mi steps forward into the doorway.

 

Every head swivels to assess the tardy arrival, as the murmurs start up again...

 

 

"I thought you instructed Sun-Mi to dress conservatively," Hyung-Chul chortles quietly to Jin-Woo, suppressing a grin.

 

"Didn't you question what she could do to make an impression on the Board at this point?" Jin-Woo recalls, then adds pointedly, "By now you must know she comes on her own terms... At least it's pinstripes..."