AAE -- Wishes Of The Heart
Chapter 243
written by LoveCR2 -- 2005
edited by All-About-AAE -- 2019
"I know Sun-Mi feels as I do ... Neither of us will ever marry out of obligation, but only for love." -- Yoon Hyung-Chul
CHEONGDAM 2-DONG ...
"I tell you, I had no inkling Young-Mi was going to do this..."
Parked on the side of the street, Hyung-Chul is talking on his mobile...
"I don't want to be a burden, but can you and Joo-Hee keep Ha-Eun for a few more days, until things are settled?"
"No problem," Sun-Dal willingly offers help. "If it were up to Joo-Hee, she'd probably keep Ha-Eun permanently."
"Thanks. You're a true friend."
"So, what are you going to do, send Ha-Eun to live with Sun-Mi?" Sun-Dal queries.
"Of course," Hyung-Chul affirms without hesitation. "But unless Sun-Mi changed her plans, she's on her way to the airport right now."
"You mean, with Michael Atwater?" Sun-Dal guesses.
"Bingo," Hyung-Chul confirms. "They're flying off to Santorini tonight, and she's not coming back."
"I thought you said he was just her business partner."
"Turns out I was mistaken," Hyung-Chul admits his error. "If what he claims is true, they're much closer than that."
"You're going to take his word for it?" Sun-Dal scoffs.
"You saw them together at the wedding, right? He was at her side constantly, like a guard dog," Hyung-Chul points out. "And I don't think it was by chance that Soo-Hee tossed her bouquet right into Sun-Mi's hands."
"What are you implying?" Sun-Dal is curious to hear more. "Did she say something to you?"
"After the wedding, I came back with Sun-Mi to pick up my car," Hyung-Chul explains. "She was trying to be kind and not hurt my feelings, but reading between the lines, it's clear she intends to marry Atwater."
"That's too bad," Sun-Dal offers consolation. "I was thinking, now that you and Sun-Mi will share custody of Ha-Eun, it might be the reason to finally bring you two together."
"Actually, that's the least likely reason," Hyung-Chul declares. "I know Sun-Mi feels as I do ... Neither of us will ever marry out of obligation, but only for love..."
"If it's not one thing, it's always another," Sun-Dal remarks with an annoyed sign, " Joo-Hee was right ... How can two people make love so complicated?"
Hyung-Chul is not in the mood for jokes. "What are you talking about?"
"Look, regardless of what you think, this changes everything," Sun-Dal insists. "You need to see Sun-Mi right now, and talk with her again. You owe it to yourself, and to your daughter, to do this right..."
CHEONGDAM 1-DONG ...
"Senior, pick up... Please..."
Sun-Mi's pleas are in vain -- an automated female voice answers, "The phone number you are trying to reach is busy. Please call again later..."
Frustrated, she puts her phone down as the SUV arrives at the end of the lane from her house. There, she waits for a gap in the flow of cars, then turns onto the street in the direction of Hyung-Chul's villa.
Crawling along with the congested traffic, she has time to reflect ... how, in the span of a few minutes, her entire life has changed ...
... 'Will you take Ha-Eun for me -- be her mother again?' ...
... 'I had a DNA test done ... You're the person you always believed you were' ...
... 'You already know what to do, Sun-Mi. Just believe in yourself, and don't hold back' ...
"But I made it sound like we were finally through. What if Senior's really given up on me?" she stews aloud, recalling their parting exchange ...
... 'You have a new life now, Senior, with Ha-Eun and Young-Mi. I'd only be in the way ... Min-Cho was always faithfully by my side ... So, yes, I might marry him' ...
... 'I always wanted to make you happy, Sun-Mi, but was never able to. I hope Min-Cho can give you all the happiness you deserve' ...
"Why didn't I tell him the truth, how I really feel?" she rues the lost opportunity. "What can I say now, to make Senior believe me?"
Interrupting her introspection, Sun-Mi's mobile chimes, announcing an incoming call. When she sees the caller ID, she picks up immediately...
"Senior?"
"Sorry, I was on the phone when you called."
"I just spoke with Young-Mi," she informs him, "about Ha-Eun."
"Surprised?"
"Yes. Very."
"Are you still flying to Santorini tonight?" he opens the matter gingerly.
"No. I've decided to stay in Seoul."
"What about you and Min-Cho?"
Sun-Mi winces, wishing he hadn't brought the 'other man' into this...
"Min-Cho and I" ... she decides to share as little as possible about her conflicted feelings ... "We decided to wait and see for now."
"Then it'll be okay if I have Sun-Dal send Ha-Eun over to you in the morning?" he presumes.
"Are you still flying to London tomorrow?"
"Yes. But I'm fine with whatever you decide concerning her."
"Are you sure?" Sun-Mi wants to avoid any contention over custody, "She's your real daughter, not mine."
"I think it's best that a child be with the mother who loves her," Hyung-Chul quotes Sun-Mi's own words, confirming his faith in her.
She lets out a sigh of relief.. "Thank you, Senior ... that means a lot to me."
"I suppose there's some things to discuss between us," he brings up the matter cautiously, then quickly clarifies, "I mean, as Ha-Eun's parents, that is. We both want what is best for her, right?"
"Certainly," Sun-Mi agrees.
"Then ... we'll have to get together ... sometime," he proposes ambiguously, to feel out her attitude.
"Yes, we should," she concurs, dropping a clear hint, "Er ... what time are you leaving tomorrow?"
"My flight is in the morning. Nine. I'll have to leave early for the airport, to beat the traffic," he quashes any possibility. "Why?"
... 'Just believe in yourself, and don't hold back' ... Min-Cho's words offer encouragement ...
"Because I have something to say, before you leave," Sun-Mi answers. "Right now, or I may not be able to..."