AAE AIRBORNE ROMANCE
Short Story
by Margie

Sitting beside the Chairman's grandson in the first class compartment of the Milan-bound plane, Jin Sun Mi felt like a lamb being led to slaughter. She portrayed such a similar likeness of that image, that the man sitting beside could not help suppressing his amusement.

"Miss Jin Sun Mi."

"What?" She responded resentfully, refusing to turn her head to look at him. She was aware she was being childish. But she decided that she would not let Yun Hyung Chul forget that she was on this flight, only because the Chairman had threatened that he would have a heart attack if she refused his request.

"How long do you intend to pout? I know my grandfather sort of forced you to accompany me on this trip, but don't you think it's time you stop your childish act?"

She finally had to whirl around to look at the dark, handsome man beside her.

"At least you acknowledged that your grandfather forced me into this. Didn't I tell your grandfather that I was practically chained to my desk for the next 6 months? And didn't I tell YOUR grandfather that I could easily find someone who could speak Italian like a native, to accompany you to Italy? I'm not the only one in the Korea able to speak Italian, you know. Didn't I also ...?"

"Hold it!" Hyung Chul held up his hand. "You don't have to 'carbon copy' the excuses you gave my grandfather. I heard it all, remember?"

Sun Mi had to concede that indeed he had -- he was there when the Chairman told her of his request. On any other day, she would never have gone against the Chairman's instructions or wishes. She was beholden to the Chairman for having given her the chance to join his growing textile corporation three years ago, even though she was just fresh out of university.

However, along with the new posting came a heavier workload. Sun Mi's calendar was filled to the brim with meetings, appointments, projects -- she hardly had time to eat. Therefore, when out of the blue, the Chairman told her that he wanted her to accompany his grandson to Milan to meet with potential clients, she balked.

When she continued to argue, the Chairman threatened that any more arguments from her would bring on a heart attack! Did she want him to suffer a stroke? As far as Sun Mi could tell, the Chairman is so healthy, he would outlive anyone.

Yun Hyung Chul began working for his grandfather the same time Sun Mi was promoted to Vice-President a year ago. As President of the same department, he was officially her superior -- but unofficially, she reports to the Chairman instead of Hyung Chul.

Initially, she had made indirect hints that she could not possibly agree to the Chairman's suggestion due to her commitments for the next 6 months. The Chairman's counter-argument was more direct and straight to the point -- that Hyung Chul needed her because of her linguistic skills. No other staff in their company could even match Sun Mi's skill in English -- forget about Italian. Further, isn't it logical for a Vice-President to accompany the President on business trips?

Sun Mi insisted that she would not hesitate if the trip were just for a few days. But this trip would last for a month -- how could she afford a month away from her projects? She had voiced out all these excuses in the presence of the Chairman's grandson. She did not care that he would hold her refusal against her and take offence at her un-subservient attitude.

Actually, she did not have anything against Hyung Chul. Although they had not worked together very often during the 6 months he joined the company; since they each had their own projects, he had given her a good impression of himself.

She found he did have some good traits. For example, he is a very accommodating and considerate man. He does not insist on having his way and was ready to listen whenever someone has any opinions to voice out. Secretly, she even likes him quite a bit. Why else would her heart goes 'boom-de-dum' whenever he's near?

There was no way she was going to behave like one of the many females who always happened to be 'passing through' their department. Whenever Sun Mi sees these women, the name 'human fly-traps' would come to her mind. Even a glimpse of Mr. 'Robert Redford' Yun Hyung Chul would make them drop their jaws!

She undid her seat belt and stood up.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to use the restroom. May I have your permission to do so, Mr. President?"

"Just because you're still sore at my grandfather, you don't have to be sarcastic."

She ignored him and tried unsteadily to make her way to the restroom. After sitting down for so many hours, her legs were numb.

Suddenly, the plane jerked violently. Sun Mi fell heavily against Hyung Chul and landed on his lap. He held her against him to keep her from falling.

All the other passengers were shouting and yelling, the women were screaming, the children crying. It was sheer pandemonium in the plane.

The panic-stricken Sun Mi wrapped her arms so tightly around Hyung Chul's neck that she was practically cutting off his air supply!

"Is the plane going to crash? Are we going to die?" she asked him, eyes wide with terror.

Before he could answer her, she started wailing, "I don't want to die! There are so many things I have not done yet. I haven't told my parents I love them. I haven't told you that I love you..."

"Ladies and Gentlemen, this is the Captain speaking."

All noises stopped as everyone was trying to hear what the Captain was saying.

"Please stay in your seats and fasten your seatbelts."

Hyung Chul gently held Sun Mi from him and helped her to her seat and fastened her seatbelt.

"There is no cause for alarm. What you experienced just now was mild air turbulence due to atmospheric pressure. There is no damage at all to the plane. Everything's normal and we'll soon be landing in Milan. Thank you."

Everyone heaved sighs of relief and started clapping.

Hyung Chul looked at Sun Mi's tear-stained face, took out his handkerchief and gently wiped her face.

He held her face in his hands and asked her softly, "Miss Jin Sun Mi, what was the last sentence you said?"

Sun Mi looked at him blankly, still trembling from shock. "Hmm?"

"Did you or did you not say, you love me?"

Now fully recovered from her ordeal, she snorted, "Don't be silly! Of course, I did not! I don't even like you!" However, her face was as red as a beetroot.

"So, you don't like me? Well, too bad, because I do like you very, very much!"

"You... you do? Why?" She asked him incredulously.

He smiled at her tenderly. "What do you mean -- Why? How can anyone explain the way he feels for a woman?"

He took her hands in his and said seriously. "But if you must know, a year ago when I was introduced to this woman-child, I thought I had never met a more lovable woman in my life. I wanted to get closer to her and to get to know her better. Yet, what baffles me is why she was always so cold towards me. Why she's as prickly as a hedgehog whenever we meet? Now I know the reason -- it's because you love me and you were trying to hide your feelings. Am I right?"

"I... I don't know..."

"I hope I am right because I want to say here and now, I fell in love with you eight months ago, What took you so long to feel the same way about me?"

Sun Mi haughtily replied, "I have no recollection of saying I feel the same way about you."

"Well then, let me refresh your memory."

He captured her lips and kissed her so deeply, Jin Sun Mi found it hard to further deny her feelings for Yun Hyung Chul.

The End.