AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart

Chapter 240

written by LoveCR2 -- 2005

edited by All-About-AAE -- 2019

 

"I want to make a new start for myself... a chance to find my own happiness." -- Jin Sun-Mi

 

 

OUTSIDE SUN-MI'S HOME, SUBURBAN SEOUL...

 

"That's the last bag..."

 

Hyung-Chul announces his task is complete as Sun-Mi comes out of the house...

 

"You're all loaded up."

 

 

While he moved her luggage into the Lexus SUV, Sun-Mi had changed, from the outfit she had worn for the wedding, into a light blue Gucci pantsuit and black 90mm Nine West slingback pumps -- attire more suitable for the long journey to Santorini.

 

 

She thanks him with a grateful smile. "That saved me a lot of time."

 

"Don't mention it."

 

 

A pregnant pause follows, when they both wonder what to say...

 

"I should go," she announces perfunctorily. "I'm already running late."

 

 

But Hyung-Chul isn't ready to part yet...

 

"You've really not coming back?"

 

"I can't stay here any longer, in these circumstances," she affirms her decision. "And I have nothing to come back for."

 

"Then come with me to London," he makes a last-ditch plea. "I can get you a position at GNN again."

 

"That was someone else's life, not mine. And you have a new life to make, too, with Ha-Eun and Young-Mi. I'd only be in the way," she declines his offer. "I want to make a new start for myself... a chance to find my own happiness."

 

"I can understand that," he concedes failure of his ad hoc attempt to persuade her. "What do you intend?"

 

"Min-Cho's done so much for me, more than any reasonable person would do. Now he's given me the chance to release a great burden I've carried... I owe him something for that."

 

"Marriage?"

 

"No matter how many times I pushed Min-Cho away, he stood by my side faithfully. I don't want to hurt him, or myself, anymore. So, yes, I could marry him... I might do that."

 

"I always wanted to make you happy, but was never able to," Hyung-Chul acknowledges. "I hope he can do that for you..."

 

 

He looks away, not knowing what more to say, but not before Sun-Mi sees the conflict in his eyes...

 

"Do you remember the first time you sent me home, and we said goodbye here?" she harks back to the beginning of their relationship in Seoul.

 

"Yes... I'd come back during Easter break, to visit my father in the hospital," he readily recalls.

 

"You surprised me by appearing, out of the blue, at the Ho-Am," she describes the unusual circumstances of their meeting. "I've always wondered how you knew where I was that day, at that exact time, to meet me there."

 

"And that will always be my secret," he teases.

 

"I'd worried that you had forgotten about me, but you didn't," she confesses. "That was the best day I'd had since our time together in London. Because it was you..."

 

She shows him her brightest smile...

 

"I'll always treasure those good times we shared together."

 

"Me, too," he agrees.

 

 

Sun-Mi holds out her hand, he takes it, and they shake briefly, keeping their feelings corralled behind a wall of stoic reserve.

 

"I wish you all the happiness you deserve, Sun-Mi," he bids her farewell. "I won't forget you, ever."

 

 

"I'll watch you go," she tells him in a firm voice that signals their time is up.

 

"Sure..." Hyung-Chul reluctantly accedes. "Bye."

 

He gets in his BMW and starts the engine, then waves.

 

Sun-Mi waves back...

 

 

Hyung-Chul drives slowly off, watching Sun-Mi in his rearview mirror, capturing a final picture with his eyes.

 

 

Not until he turns the corner and is gone does Sun-Mi release her feelings, letting her tears run freely as she bids him farewell...

 

"I'll never forget you either, Senior. Every day I'll I wish you all the happiness you deserve... because you have to be happy..."