AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 208

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2019

 

"I just wanted you to know, that if you needed a good friend right now, I can be there for you." -- Miss Lee Soo-Hee

 

 

MBS CHAIRMAN'S OFFICE ...

 

"Sign here, and here, Chairman..."

 

Secretary Oh points out the places for the signatures at the signing ceremony...

 

Seated at his expansive desk, with the transition Executive Committee arrayed behind him, Hyung-Chul signs the documents with a flourish.

 

 

When he puts the pen down, the assembled witnesses -- MBS Board members and top executives, with a few selected representatives of the press to carry the news public -- break out in celebratory applause of the momentous event.

 

"It's official now," Secretary Oh announces. "On January 1, the stock transfer will be complete, and MBS will be 100% held in trust by Caritas. On behalf of the Executive Committee -- Chairman Yoon Hyung-Chul, CFO Ha Jin-Woo, Mun-Yung Chairman Yoon Jong-Ki, President Kim Sun-Dal, and Board Director Pro Tem Yoo Joo-Hee -- I want to thank you all for your attendance today and your support in making this a reality."

 

 

With the ceremony complete, the office clears out quickly, leaving only the Executive Committee remaining for a private celebration.

 

Working efficiently, Miss Lee distributes champagne flutes filled with a sparkling selection from the Yoon's vintage collection.

 

"A toast?" Hyung-Chul requests after the assembled group of principals are served.

 

"Finally, MBS is independent, in charge of its own destiny, as your mother wished and worked for," Jong-Ki states earnestly.

 

"May MBS always be a positive influence and encouragement to society and the world, as Jin Sun-Mi dreamed," Jin-Woo declares.

 

"Two great dreams merged in mutual support for perpetuity," Hyung-Chul offers, raising his glass.

 

With a chorus of 'Cheers!' they imbibe...

 

 

"It's too bad that Sun-Mi isn't here to see this day," Sun-Dal laments.

 

"I think she was certain it would happen," Joo-Hee remarks. "After all, she left things in the hands of the people she most trusted."

 

"To Jin Sun-Mi, wherever she may be," Jin-Woo declares another toast. "May all her dreams come true..."

 

The flutes rise and clink again.

 

 

With the toasting concluded, the group breaks up into individual conversations ....

 

 

"I'm glad you're staying on with MBS," Jong-Ki commends Jin-Woo's decision to continue as CFO.

 

"It was an opportunity I couldn't refuse," Jin-Woo replies. "Besides, I've become used to living in Seoul, and made some good friends here."

 

"Is it possible that a few of those relationships are with the females of the species?" Jong-Ki winks.

 

"I admit, I've had my eye on someone in particular," Jin-Woo admits, "But I keep striking out -- she has eyes only for someone else."

 

"Step up to the plate, son, and swing for a homerun," Jong-Ki encourages him. "You'll never score unless you commit your efforts whole-heartedly."

 

"I'll keep that in mind, Sir," Jin-Woo agrees.

 

 

Across the room, Hyung-Chul is chatting with Joo-Hee and Sun-Dal...

 

"How's the baby? I've been so busy that I haven't had time to keep up with things."

 

"Ah-Ri is already six months old, if you can believe it," Joo-Hee answers. "But she's a real Daddy's girl, for sure!"

 

Sun-Dal chimes in, "Mommy is just jealous because Baby prefers being in Daddy's arms," he explains.

 

"Daddy gets the reward, but Mommy does all the hard work feeding Baby!" she retorts with a bit of resentment.

 

"Now Dear, let's remember we're a team. The credit is as much yours too," Sun-Dal tries to placate his peevish wife, then leans closer to whisper to Hyung-Chul, "It's nothing to worry, she's just tired, being in her fourth month."

 

Hyung-Chul chuckles at the familiar bickering and thinks of their warm, comfortable home, bursting with the boisterous racket of growing children...

 

 

"Let's carry this celebration on over a few hands of cards," Jong-Ki suggests to everyone.

 

"I'm all for that," Jin-Woo agrees.

 

"The table is already set up," Sun-Dal announces. "And I've opened a new box of cigars."

 

"Son?" Jong-Ki addresses Hyung-Chul. "Care to join us tonight, for a change?"

 

"I already have plans," Hyung-Chul declines.

 

"But we need a fourth hand," his father attempts persuasion.

 

"Sorry," Hyung-Chul insists. "I'm not in the mood, and don't want to be a drag on the party."

 

 

Hearing their exchange, Joo-Hee steps up.

 

"I'll play tonight," she announces, staking claim to her father's vacated chair, while sending her husband a certain hard look...

 

"So much for the cigars," Sun-Dal sighs, confirming her unspoken demand. "Shall we head out then?"

 

 

After the card players troop out together, Hyung-Chul pours himself a drink from the office bar and settles down on the upholstered couch. He first turns on the wall-hung, large-screen TV with the remote, then the VCR.

 

A videotape, already loaded, begins to play from where he'd left off watching the night before...

 

... "Now, the girl you all wanted to meet from 'Let's See the World'. We will introduce you to the new host of this show starting this week, Announcer Jin Sun-Mi" ...

 

... "Hello, I am Jin Sun-Mi. 'Let's See the World' is" ... (hiccups) ...

 

Hyung-Chul chuckles along with Sun-Dal and the live studio's laughter.

 

 

 

SEVERAL HOURS LATER ....

 

Hyung-Chul is still seated on the couch, staring absently at the VCR as it plays an Eve's Morning broadcast, with Sun-Dal and Sun-Mi in the center anchor chairs ...

 

... "Today's Eve's Morning is Announcer Jin Sun-Mi's last broadcast. MBS is sending our best anchor to London" ...

... "So, I hear you're going to London as the Special Correspondent" ...

 

... "Yes. I made many mistakes and stumbled along, but thank you for caring for me and supporting me the whole way" ...

 

 

A tap at his office door alerts Hyung-Chul. He rouses himself and pauses the videotape.

 

"Come in."

 

The door opens, and Miss Lee steps in, carrying a tray. She glances at the TV briefly, then turns her attention to Hyung-Chul...

 

"Chairman, it's late, and I thought you might like some coffee," she explains her intrusion into his privacy.

 

"Thank you," he welcomes her in, noticing when she sets the tray down that she has brought two cups, not one...

 

"Sir, if I may say something," she requests, then waits for permission.

 

"Yes?"

 

"I became your assistant on the first day you joined the Company," she reminds him. "Since then, I haven't missed a day of work, I come in before you arrive, stay until after you leave, and do everything you ask of me."

 

"Yes, I'm grateful for your loyalty," Hyung-Chul praises her. "Is there something you'd like me to do for you? A reward, perhaps?"

 

"That's not necessary," she declines, lowering her eyes diffidently. "It's just that lately, since Chairwoman Jin Sun-Mi resigned, every night you stay here alone in your office, until very late," she observes, "and I was wondering, if I might..."

 

"Oh! ... I'm sorry. If you need to leave earlier, please feel free to go," he interjects apologetically. "I hadn't intended to hold you back."

 

"Thank you for the consideration, but that wasn't what I meant," she corrects his misconception.

 

"Then what is it you want to say, Miss Lee? Speak clearly."

 

"As your assistant, I've learned your likes and dislikes, your habits and mannerisms. I know your moods, what makes you angry, frustrates you, and pleases you. I have tried to remember everything about you, so I can perform my best to help..."

 

"That's true," he acknowledges. "Go on..."

 

"I understand our relationship is strictly defined by our corporate roles. But we're also people, with feelings and needs beyond the job," she argues her point. "So it's hard for me to see you suffering like this and not do anything..."

 

She raises her eyes, looking straight into his...

 

"I thought perhaps, if you needed someone to talk with, or a shoulder to lean on, it might be the best way I could help you..."

 

Having said her piece, Miss Lee waits for the fallout...

 

 

"It can be easy to confuse devotion to duty with personal affection," Hyung-Chul responds, avoiding a direct answer pro or con.

 

Miss Lee takes this as an opening to speak again...

 

"I'm not Jin Sun-Mi. I could never step into her shoes, and I have no expectations of being a Cinderella," she clarifies her intentions.

 

She pauses briefly for a breath and to gather her resolve, then says boldly, "I just wanted you to know, that if you needed a good friend right now, I can be there for you... I want to be there for you..."

 

 

Hyung-Chul regards his assistant with a cautious eye, trying to discern her motivation...

 

In the stretching silence, Miss Lee's face reddens with discomfiture...

 

"Sorry, I was out of line," she makes the presumption that her entreaty is rejected, "I'll go now. Please forget everything I said here."

 

She bows and turns away.

 

"Wait," Hyung-Chul speaks up before she has taken a step. "It's my belief that a person can never have enough good friends."

 

 

She pivots back, her face animated by the unexpected turn...

 

"Chairman, does that mean...?" she begins, then cuts short when she sees his smile, answering her question.

 

"I'm grateful for your offer, Soo-Hee," he uses her given name for the first time, patting the cushioned seat beside him, an invitation.

 

"I could use a friendly shoulder to lean on right now," he requests.

 

 

Soo-Hee sits next to him, keeping her body ramrod straight, legs and shoes together, forearms resting on her skirt, hands over her knees. Hyung-Chul leans his head against her shoulder and sighs...

 

"You're right, this is better," he tells her gratefully. "And for you?"

 

"Actually, it's a bit more awkward than I expected, Chairman," she admits to her mixed feelings. "But with time, perhaps I'll become used to it."

 

"Yes," he agrees, "with time, people can get used to almost anything..."

 

 

For a few minutes they remain in silence, then Soo-Hee initiates conversation...

 

"I know you miss Jin Sun-Mi a lot. Will she come back?"

 

"I honestly don't know," Hyung-Chul shares his uncertainty. "She always has before. But this time, something about her was different. She made it clear that she wanted me to move on, not wait for her any longer... and she sounded sincere."

 

"What will you do?"

 

"I suppose like always... give in and do what she wants," he chuckles sadly. "But it won't be easy."

 

"When it's too hard, you can rely on me," Soo-Hee assures him. "Every day, I'll always be here, by your side..."