AAE ALWAYS ON MY MIND
Writer: Margie L


"Ladies & Gentlemen, your attention please." The excited hum in the auditorium immediately died down upon Master of Ceremony Kim Sun-dal's authoritative voice.

"I know you are all anxious to proceed with the contest."

The audience started clapping to confirm agreement. Sun-dal held up a hand to call for silence.

"However, for the benefit of the chief judge, I would have to ask that you be patient for a few minutes longer."

The audience obligingly acquiesced by lapsing into silence.

"Thank you."

"It gives me great pleasure to introduce the chief judge for this 'Perfect Couple' contest".

The lighting technician aimed the spotlights on an extremely handsome young man seated in the middle of the panel's table. The young man stood up, turned to face the audience with a respectful bow.

"Ladies & Gentlemen, I would like to introduce Mr. Yun Hyung-chul."

The audience applauded. Staff of MBS were aware that the Chairman's heir had recently returned from London to helm Seoul's broadcasting giant.

"Ladies, it's not polite to stare with mouth open!" Sun-dal teased them, making the audience laugh as the chief judge walks towards the stage, with an amused look on his handsome face.

Gripping the MC lightly on his shoulder, he reproached, "Sun-dal, I can see you have not changed a bit."

"How have I not changed?"

"You still think with your mouth!"

The audience roared with laughter. The good-natured MC joined in their laughter.

"Thank you, ladies & gentlemen." The personable chief judge addressed the audience with genuine warmth. "I have a feeling that my seniors would think that I am hardly qualified to be a chief judge for this 'PERFECT COUPLE' contest", he smiled at the older MBS staff to take the 'sting' from his words and added, "since I'm not married. Am I right here?"

A few of them nodded their heads sagely.

Sun-dal interrupted Hyung-chul, "Mr. Managing Director, I can tell from the ladies' determined expressions, they have no intention of letting you remain 'unmarried' for long." The ladies applauded the MC's prediction.

Hyung-Chul laughed and replied, "In that case, I can safely say that I can hang on to my bachelorhood for at least another 2 years." When asked to elaborate, he responded, "You can see for yourself. There seems to be so many beautiful young ladies here in MBS, I would need time to get to know each and everyone before I can choose my future bride!"

"Then I wish you 'Good Luck' and hope you would find your future bride amongst the lovely ladies here!" Sun-dal grinned at Hyung-chul.

"Let me assure everyone that even though I'm still single, I would do my best to ensure that the grand prize would go to the most deserving perfect couple."

The applause was deafening.

"Thank you, Mr. Chief Judge. We shall now proceed with the contest."

Meanwhile, another 'drama' was unfolding behind the stage curtain. A pretty young lady was talking in agitated tones to a young man.

"Jin-su, I can't go ahead with this contest. I'm sorry!"

"Sun-mi, you can and you will! If you back out now, I would always consider you a coward!" He held her hands in his and coaxed, "Without you, I would have to withdraw too."

Initially, Choi Jin-su, a Sports Commentator with MBS was supposed to take part in the contest with his girlfriend. They had planned to marry once they had saved up enough to buy a house. When he learnt that the Chairman had donated an apartment to be offered as the grand prize, it was too much of a 'carrot' for Jin-su to ignore. Being a timid person, Julie took a bit of persuasion before she agreed to go on stage with Jin-su. However, the closer the contest date, the more excuses she had for not going ahead with it.

Jin-su had no choice but to approach Sun-mi. He had to use every 'trick' in his book -- even emotional blackmail -- to get her to agree.

Sensing her anxiety, he asked, "Are you worried about facing him?"

Sun-mi bit her quivering lip and sighed, "If I go out there with you, he would know we're fakes!"

"I'm positive he wouldn't know." Jin-su argued. "After all, it has been a year since you returned to Korea. Anything could have happened to a relationship in 12 months." He lowered his voice to prevent the other contestants from overhearing their 'plot'. "Don't worry. If you're worried that we may contradict each other's answers, we can go over our points again."

"Jin-su, you know I'm not talking about that." Sun-mi was annoyed that he had deliberately misunderstood her. "I dread having to face him!"

"Then don't look in his direction. Just look at the audience or the MC or at me." Suddenly, he dropped to his knees and tugged at Sun-mi's skirt hem. "Please, Sun-mi!"

"You klutz! What are you doing? Please get up now!" She was incensed that he was using one of his 'dirty persuasion tactics' on her.

She tugged at his arm to make him get up. The other contestants were looking on curiously.

"Not until you promise me you would do your best to help me with the apartment. Sun-mi, my happiness is in your hands!"

"It's now time to introduce the contestants." The MC's sudden announcement brought everyone to attention. "Ladies & gentlemen, let's give the four couples a big hand".

It was too late to back out now. Jin-su hurriedly stood up and gave Sun-mi an assuring hug. He whispered to her, "I'll be so loving, no one -- especially the judges -- would ever suspect!"

He gave her an encouraging smile and told her to smile. Smiling was definitely the last thing she wanted to do. She felt like throwing up instead. However, she knew she had to go through with the contest for the sake of her childhood friend. Besides, he was like a brother to her. When they were growing up together, he had always been there for her. He fiercely fought battles with the older and much 'bigger' children when they bullied her. When she was sad, he would rush to her side to comfort her.

There was a stage when Sun-mi had thought Jin-su was in love with her. Why else would he be so good to her? She was relieved when Jin-su explained that he is very fond of her because she reminded him of his baby sister who died just before her 1st birthday. He loved her very much and was looking forward to being a good big brother to her. When she died from high fever, he was devastated. Jin-su told Sun-mi that each time he sees Sun-mi's smile, he would be reminded of his baby sister.

The stage curtain was slowly drawn and the four couples stepped forward onto the stage. Jin-su patted her hand and gave her another reassuring smile.

The MC explained briefly on the rules of the contest, which is open exclusively to MBS staff and their spouses, betrothed or sweethearts. Couples would be tested on how well they know their partners by being questioned on their partners' likes, dislikes & idiosyncrasies.

The first three couples to have more than 3 questions answered wrongly would be eliminated. The last remaining couple would then answer questions from the chief judge.

Sun-dal turned to the contestants. "In order for the audience to get to know a little about the couples, we will ask the couples to give a brief self-description." He smiled at the first couple. "Ladies first."

This was it, Sun-mi thought. She's definitely going to faint! She turned alarmed eyes on Jin-su. However, he 'misread' her fearful eyes and 'tenderly' patted her cheek.

The first 3 couples having finished their self-introduction, the MC turned to Jin-Su and Sun-Mi.

"Ladies & Gentlemen, Perfect Couple Contestants No. 4 are Mr. Choi Jin-su and Ms. Jin Sun-mi. Please give them a big hand."

"Ms. Jin?"

"Ah?" She was so nervous she had forgotten what she was supposed to do. Jin-su whispered in her ear.

"Oh!" She gave an embarrassed laugh. "Oh, right! I'm sorry, I'm not used to having to speak before an audience." She smiled shyly.

The MC kindly tried to calm her nerves. "It's alright, Ms. Jin. Just take it slowly. You'll be alright after a few minutes."

Sun-mi smiled gratefully at Sun-dal and inhaled deeply. She spoke into the microphone. "My name is Jin Sun-mi. I am 25 years old. I am a landscape artist and a part-time caterer with my own catering service."

After getting over her trepidation, she began to speak with more confidence. "Jin-su and I have known each other all our lives but our relationship turned serious only about a year ago. We are now planning to get married as soon as we have saved up enough for our own apartment. We are hoping to win the grand prize so that we can marry within this year."

She turned to smile at Jin-su. He 'lovingly' rested his head on her shoulder for impact.

"Excuse me." All eyes turned in the direction of the voice. "May I ask Ms. Jin a question?"

With the spotlight on him, Sun-mi could now see Hyung-chul's face clearly. Nervousness claiming her again, she braced herself to face him. She was hoping the MC would come to her rescue by saying that it was not a 'done thing' for the chief judge to ask questions before the final result has been given. The MC, however, failed to 'hear' her wish.

"Don't worry." Jin-su 'said' through his teeth while smiling at her and squeezed her hand.

She laced her reply, "I'm ready for your question, Mr. Chief Judge" with a phony smile.

Title: Always on my Mind (Final)
Written by: Margie L.

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Part 1 was posted on 29-Feb.
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"Tell me, Ms. Jin. If you fail to win the apartment, would you then have to defer your 'marriage'?"

His emphasis on 'marriage' was not lost on Sun-mi. Would he reveal her secret? Although his expression was inscrutable, she had detected a trace of anger in his tone.

"Mr. Chief Judge, if we..."

"If you don't mind, Mr. Choi. I'd like Ms. Jin to answer my question."

Sun-mi replied calmly, "I suppose we would have to do that." She deliberately added, "But my father has always said that I was born under a lucky star." She smiled and added, "I'm quite optimistic of winning the grand prize."

"In that case, my 'friendly' reminder to you is not to count your chickens till they're hatched!"

If that was a friendly reminder she would eat her corsage, Sun-mi thought. For it sounded more like a warning.

Receiving the green light to proceed with the contest, the MC wrapped up the preliminary round of interviewing the male contestants.

As they were the only unmarried couple, Jin-su and Sun-mi were given a different set of questions. It was now their turn. Even though the first three couples had completed their round, they had to wait for the results to be announced to find out how they had fared.

"We now come to the last couple. I will question Mr. Choi first. Miss Jin, please put on your headset." While one of each pair is being questioned, the other would be asked to put on the headset.

"Mr. Choi, when did you first fall in love with Ms. Jin?"

"We spent a lot of time together after she returned from England a year ago. We realised we loved each other all this while and decided to get married."

A loud clank of the water pitcher on the table drew everyone's attention to the Chief Judge.

"You wanted to say something, Mr. Chief Judge?"

"No. Please excuse the disruption." Although he looked calm as he sipped the glass of water, it was obvious to everyone that a 'phantom' had stepped on the chief judge's toe.

"If Ms. Jin has a weakness, what do you think that is?"

"She's a crybaby. But that's because she has a good heart and could not stand to see anyone suffering."

"Name three things you like about Ms. Jin."

Jin-su turned to Sun-mi and smiled. "Among her many attributes, I love her feistiness, her charm and her smile. Not necessarily in that order of course."

"Do you have a habit that Ms. Jin dislikes?"

Jin-su hesitated on this question. He was fearful of answering this question. His colleagues would never give him any peace after this.

"Can I skip this question?"

"Yes you can. But you would be eliminated."

"Can I just whisper the answer in your ear?"

"I'm afraid you have to say it for the judges' benefit."

"Oh." His collar suddenly seemed to suffocate him. Faced with no other option, Jin-su replied with apparent embarrassment. "Sun-mi complains that I smell my dirty socks."

The MC swallowed hard, trying not to laugh. However, the judges and the audience were not as tactful. Only Hyung-chul was not laughing. The scowl was still fixed on his handsome face like a conspicuous birthmark.

"Thank you, Mr. Choi." Sun-dal invited Sun-mi to step forward. "You may remove the headset, Ms. Jin."

"It's your turn, Miss Jin. Are you nervous?"

Sun-mi smiled shyly. "A little."

"Well, don't be. I asked Mr. Choi when he fell in love with you. How do you think he answered?"

"Jin-su would have said that he fell in love with me after I returned from England."

The audience applauded her correct answer. Jin-su was smiling from ear to ear.

Sun-dal smiled and clapped. "Very good, Ms. Jin. That was exactly what Mr. Choi said. The next question was on your 'Achilles' Heel'. What would that be?"

Sun-mi glanced warily at Jin-su. Would he dared say that she was a crybaby, she thought to herself.

"Did he say I'm a crybaby?"

Applause again. Sun-mi glared at Jin-su. He shrugged as if to say that it was not his fault for revealing her weakness.

"Right again, Ms. Jin!" Sun-dal turned to the audience. "Okay. I think you may have a problem with the following question." The MC smilingly 'warned' Sun-mi.

"I will try my best to answer."

"Good, good. Mr. Choi was asked to name three things he liked about you. What were they?"

Sun-mi had to ponder on this question. They had not discussed on this issue at all. Jin-su had frequently mentioned that he liked to see her smile. Could that be one of the three? What about the other two? She had no idea at all.

"I think Jin-su would have said he liked my smile and ..."

Before she could continue, the MC happily encouraged her, "That's correct! Two more to go, Ms. Jin."

She turned to Jin-su and tried to read his face.

"Ah-ah." The MC wagged his finger at Jin-su. "No prompting, Mr. Choi."

"My personality and cooking skill?"

When Sun-mi saw disappointment on Jin-su's face, she knew she got the answers wrong.

"I'm afraid you did not get that right; but we'll leave it to the judges to decide." Sun-dal patted her shoulder, "Don't worry. You still have a fighting chance."

"Thank you."

"The final question. Does Mr. Choi have a habit you abhor?"

"Oh yes! He likes to smell his dirty socks!" She glared at Jin-su again; as if to say, "That's for calling me a crybaby!"

"Wow! Mr. Choi, Ms. Jin. Except for the previous question, you have both answered very well. Thank you." The MC turned to the judges.

"Mr. Chief Judge, has the panel made a decision on Ms. Jin's response to the third question?"

Hyung-chul spoke into the microphone in front of him. "In order to be fair to all participants, we have decided that Ms. Jin cannot be awarded the full points for the third question." He was looking directly at Sun-mi as he continued. "Mr. Choi gave the other 2 answers as feistiness and charm. While feistiness can be deemed part of a person's personality, the last one was wrong. Since this is a contest to determine how well a couple knows each other, a couple must get an all-correct result to advance to the final round."

A whoop of delight was heard from Couple No. 2. Shin Ki-dong and Lee Kyung-hee knew the grand prize was as good as theirs.

Sun-mi smiled and bowed at Hyung-chul. "I understand and accept your decision, Mr. Chief Judge."

The evening ended after the keys to the apartment were presented to Couple No. 2. After offering their congratulations and staying until the end of the ceremony, Jin-su and Sun-mi left the auditorium. Sun-mi was thankful Hyung-chul was kept busy by the senior management staff. She had caught his eyes on her several times and she had the impression he wanted to make his way towards her. For that reason, she stayed close to Jin-su. When it was considered proper for people to leave, she hastily dragged him out of the auditorium.

Three days later, Julie called her. Sun-mi apologised to Jin-su's girlfriend for having lost the chance to win the apartment.

"You silly goose! I am the one who should be apologizing, not you. We are sorry for forcing you into this charade. We know how you hate deception of any kind."

"Both of you are like family. I'd do anything for you -- so forget it."

"Okay then. Hey, I have good news for you, 'Miss Crybaby'." Julie deliberately teased Sun-mi.

"You best quit calling me that or I'll stuff your obnoxious boyfriend's dirty sock down your throat!"

Julie laughed. "Please! You can stuff anything down my throat except for that!" After they had both stopped laughing, Julie continued. "Before I tell you the good news, did Yun Hyung-chul manage to 'corner' you after the contest?"

"Fortunately, no. I could tell he wanted to talk to me; but I managed to evade him."

"Sun-mi, why not meet him to talk things over? After all, you can't avoid him forever." Julie added softly. "You did not tell him why you suddenly returned to Korea?"

"No. There's nothing to talk about. He was not honest with me so why should I tell him?" Julie's suggestion awakens Sun-mi's hurt all over again.

The events that occurred in England and that brought her and Hyung-chul together were still locked up in her memory vault. It felt as if she had stored her memories in the 'vault' and had thrown away the 'key'.

Sun-mi's aunt, Cho-jae, runs a Korean restaurant in a posh suburb in London. Her aunt, who does all her own cooking, had tripped over her pet dog and fell down the stairs in her home, suffering a broken leg in the process. Confined to the hospital bed and with her leg in a cast, she was concerned about her restaurant. Cho-jae had worked so hard to turn 'Arirang' into the No. 1 Korean restaurant in London. She considered that she would be 'committing economic suicide' if she were to leave the cooking to her workers. They were after all, more familiar with the British fish and chips than they were with Korean Kimchi.

After much deliberation, Cho-jae thought of her niece. She would have peace of mind if Sun-mi were willing to help out in her restaurant until her leg mended. For not only was Sun-mi a very good culinary cook, she was also waiting for suitable job offers as a landscape artist. She hoped that she would not have to inconvenience Sun-mi for more than a year; but as she was also suffering from osteoporosis, her broken leg could take longer than 12 months to mend. She was infinitely relieved when Sun-mi agreed to fly out to London immediately - regardless of how long she has to stay. Sun-mi assured her aunt that she could always take the advantage of the long stay to pick up culinary skills in Western cuisine.

Sun-mi seemed to have a knack for business and handled the management of the restaurant very well. The patrons loved her cooking and kept returning for more. Although she was younger that most of the staff, they treated with respect and affection. They were even willing to impart their skill on western cuisine on Sun-mi.

"I'm going for my class now, Moira." She cheerfully waved at the portly Scottish helper who was on the intercom. "See you tomorrow."

"Sun-mi, wait! You're wanted outside." By 'outside', Moira meant the dining area.

"Huh? Why?"

"A diner is asking for you." Moira gently elbowed Sun-mi out of the kitchen. "Go! It's not polite to keep a patron waiting."

"Sun-mi, over here!" Greg, the Maitre-D was beckoning to her. When she reached him, Greg introduced her to a young man. She could tell immediately he was a 'countryman'.

"I understand from Greg your aunt's in hospital. How is she?'

Sun-mi laughed. "Oh! I thought you had wanted to complain about my cooking!"

The young man chuckled.

"Aunty is fine and doing well in recovery. Thank you for your concern."

"I had just returned from a business trip. How long have you taken over from your aunt?"

"Just about a week. You could tell the difference between our cooking?"

He laughed. "Definitely. Don't tell your aunt but I think you're an even better cook!" Hyung-chul added, "I would like to visit her. May I have her room number, please?"

"Yes, of course." After giving him the details, she added. "This may seem rude but if I don't leave now, I'm afraid I would be late for my class."

"What is the class you're taking?"

"I'm taking classes in Western cuisine. I'm actually a landscape artist but I love cooking."

"You're so young and yet so capable. I'm really impressed." Sun-mi noticed he had a really nice smile. "Can I give you a lift to your class?"

She politely declined his offer. "You haven't had your dinner yet. Besides, since her dog has put Aunt 'out of action', I'm using her moped."

After their first meeting and whenever Yun Hyung-chul dines at Arirang, he would always ask to speak to her. Sometimes he was alone. At other times, he would be with friends. However, there was one time when he entered the restaurant with a beautiful young girl and a middle-aged woman.

Greg popped his head around the door. "Mr. Yun's here." He grinned. "On second thoughts, maybe I should say your beau's asking for you again."

"Don't be ridiculous!" She blushed, removed her apron and threw it at him.

"I'm not being ridiculous and you know it." Greg playfully pinched her cheek. "Before you took over from your aunt, he was never here as frequently as he comes in now."

"Maybe he prefers my cooking to Aunt's."

Even as she was vehemently denying any truth to Greg's words, she was secretly pleased. Was Greg correct? Does he really like her?

"Miss Jin. This is Madam Pearly and Miss Suzie Cho." Hyung-chul introduced the two ladies to Sun-mi as mother and daughter. "Our families are old friends."

The friendly and chatty Suzie Cho praised Sun-mi for her culinary expertise. Her mother was just the opposite. Reserved and aloof, she hardly glanced in Sun-mi's direction. However, she was aware of Pearly's hawk-like eyes on her during her conversations with Hyung-chul.

Returning to the kitchen a bit later, she decided to visit her aunt in hospital. She had been too busy at the restaurant and with her classes to check on her aunt.

After making sure her aunt was comfortable, she left the hospital. Outside the entrance, she tried to start her moped. When it failed to start after several attempts, Sun-mi realized it had run out of fuel. No wonder! She had forgotten to refuel the moped. She would just have to leave the moped there overnight and to take a cab home.

She jumped when someone tapped her shoulder. 'Hah!" She whirled around, ready to put up a defense against a sneak attack.

When she saw who it was, she exclaimed. "Oh my God, it's you!" Yun Hyung-chul was amused at her 'Kung Fu' stance. "You almost gave me a seizure! Never do that again please."

"Don't tell me that besides being a landscape artist and a great cook, you know 'Kung Fu' too?"

"Not 'Kung Fu' but Kendo." She laughed. "I'm just joking. I know neither. Moira taught me to do that to scare the crooks." She noticed he was holding a floral basket.

"You came to visit my aunt?"

"Yes. You're leaving already?" He looked disappointed when she nodded. "Where's your transport?"

When she told him what had happened to her moped, he inclined his head. "Why don't you visit your aunt a second time? I don't intend to stay long. I can send you home afterwards."

But Sun-mi thought it better to refuse his offer. She did not want her aunt to start getting ideas about them.

"I shouldn't have any problem getting a cab home. You go ahead. My aunt would be pleased to see you." She gave him a slight wave. "Goodnight."

"Wait!" He stopped her. "Could you wait just 5 minutes? Please?"

She agreed -- wondering at the same time what he was going to do.

Hyung-chul dashed into the hospital with the flowers and was out again in 5 minutes.

"You didn't visit my aunt?"

"I instructed the reception staff to send the flowers to her. I will visit her tomorrow." He turned towards the car park. "Come, I will send you home."

Seeing that he had already made up his mind, she meekly followed him.

"Would you mind if I do not send you home straight away?" When he saw the wariness on her face, he chuckled. "Don't worry, I'm not a wolf. I'd just like to invite you to my favorite watering hole for a drink."

Weeks turned to months. Ever since their first 'drink' together, Hyung-chul and Sun-mi's friendship turned into something deeper. Although he had never revealed his feelings outright, he had been dropping very broad hints that he likes her and that he wanted their friendship to develop into something more. She had no doubts that she likes him too. But as she also longed to return to Korea, she did not want to be too optimistic when it comes to their relationship.

With her cast removed and her leg fully mended, Cho-jae was as pleased as punch to return to Arirang. Sun-mi knew her aunt wanted her to stay on in London to help her out. But an unexpected event brought her world crashing down on her and spurred her decision to return to Korea.

"Sun-mi, it's a call for you." Her aunt handed her the phone.

When she answered, an elderly female voice inquired. "Is this Miss Jin? I'm Pearly Cho. We met in your aunt's restaurant several months back."

"Yes, I remember. You were with Mr. Yun and Ms. Suzie Cho."

Pearly Cho's confirmation was brusque. "I would like us to meet today." When they met, she was as curt with Sun-mi as ever.

"Miss Jin. I'm a very straightforward person and I do not like beating around the bush. So I would just come to the point."

She threw some photographs on the table.

Sun-mi picked up the photographs and was shocked to find that they were of herself and Hyung-chul.

"I don't understand what these pictures mean? Why did you consider it necessary to hire a private investigator to take our photographs?"

The elderly lady's face was flushed with red blotches on her heavily made-up face. "Yun Hyung-chul's not for you! I want you to stay away from him!"

"We're just friends, Madam Cho. These pictures prove them. We were only having dinner or drinks."

"Not from what I could see from Hyung-chul's face. He's smitten with you." She calmed down and continued. "Yun Hyung-chul's going to marry my daughter. My husband and I and his parents have an understanding that our children would marry each other and no one else."

Sun-mi was shocked by the elderly lady's words. "But Mr. Yun is in his early thirties. If he feels the same way, why hasn't he married your daughter?"

That made Pearly Cho even more livid. "That's because my daughter insists on getting her degree before she would consider marriage. Don't flatter yourself that you're more to him than an easy target. Just compare yourself with my Suzie. Do you think a man like Yun Hyung-chul would choose a ruby when he could have a diamond?"

Pearly Cho left in a huff after repeating her warning. Hurt that Hyung-chul had not been open about his relationship with Suzie Cho, Sun-mi left England the following day without saying goodbye to anyone, except for her aunt. Apart from saying goodbye she did not tell her aunt anything; even when her aunt repeatedly asked her what had caused her impulsive decision.

"Sun-mi? Hey, Jin Sun-mi! Did you fall asleep? Am I really that boring?" Julie's shrill voice over the phone brought Sun-mi back to the present.

"Hmmm? No, I'm wide-awake. What were you saying?"

"I was saying that we have a contract to do the landscaping for a rich guy's new house." Julie was ecstatic. "I even have the keys with me. Isn't it wonderful?"

Julie was a partner in her landscaping and catering business. And a very efficient one. Only that she has an annoying habit of talking in riddles. "What contract are you talking about? And what keys?"

"What have I been telling you the past forty minutes?" It was Julie's turn to be annoyed. "Oh, I know. Your mind was in London, wasn't it? Perhaps even thinking of one particular man?"

"What man? I don't know what you're talking about!"

Not believing her denial at all, Julie mockingly replied. "Yeah, and my name's Einstein!"


The next day, on a sunny Sunday, Sun-mi drove to the client's house. She used the keys Julie had handed to her the previous day to unlock the front door.

The house was actually more like a mansion. The living room was very spacious and devoid of furniture. Sun-mi thought the owner must be waiting for a professional to decorate it. From the size and location of the house, the owner could very well afford it.

Why did Julie give her the keys and tell her to take a look inside? She was only contracted to do the exterior landscaping.

Hearing a car pull into the driveway, Sun-mi was not duly alarmed. It was a Sunday after all -- the owner might have decided to pop in to give her instructions. She walked towards the front door.

When the front door opened, she put on her best smile. "Hello. I'm Jin..." Her smile immediately froze.

"Vat ... vat..." Too shocked to note her bad grammar, she could only stare at the visitor.

"You mean 'What'? His face alight with amusement, Yun Hyung-chul walked towards Sun-mi. "Have you left England too long that you have forgotten to speak proper English?"

Seeing the menacing look on his face, Sun-mi retreated. "Stop right there. What are you doing here? Don't you know you're trespassing?"

"This is my house. I have the deed and keys to prove it." He was still walking towards her. She backed up against the wall. When he put his hands on each side of the wall, she was trapped.

He looked at her for a length of time. "Why did you believe what Aunt Pearly told you? Why didn't you ask me about it?"

"How did you know about this?" It must have been Jin-su. "Was it Jin-su who told you?"

"It doesn't matter who told or how I found out." Sun-mi looked at Hyung-chul's face. Even in anger, he still looks so handsome. "I agree I should have told you about Suzie. I had decided to tell you the night we were supposed to meet. If only you had turned up for our date, I would have told you that there is nothing between Suzie and me."

He sat down on the bare floor, took her hand and made her sit beside him. "When I found out you had returned to Korea, I called your aunt to find out why you left without a word. But she did not know. She gave me your address. I had wanted to come to Korea to seek you out."

"And did you?"

He shook his head. "I thought better of it. I thought that you left because you were afraid I would declare my feelings for you." He sighed. "I had stupidly thought that if you had wanted me to find you, you would not have left without a word."

"Even after you left, you were always on my mind. I missed you much." He grasped her fingers so hard, she winced.

"It's true what Aunt Pearly told you. When we were young, our parents entered into a mutual understanding that I would marry Suzie. But we're two individuals with our individual way of thinking." He turned to look at her. His earnest expression touched her. "The thought of marrying Suzie has never crossed my mind. I like her. It would be unfair to the other party to marry for any other reason than love."

"But what about Suzie? How could you know that she feels the same way as you do?"

"Of course I know. She has always told me that she is too ambitious to be tied down by marriage."

He suddenly grinned. "She has even said if she does marry, she would not want a husband like me."

Sun-mi was incredulous. "Why?"

"She said that I'm so dominating, she does not even want me as a brother. She also said I'm too darn handsome to be a good husband." He smiled at her. "What about you? What do you think? Do you agree with Suzie?"

"Sure. You are dominating, you know."

He shook his head. "Not that. I meant, that 'good husband' part?"

Sun-mi was startled by his question. "How should I know?"

"You don't know? Why don't you give me a try?"

"What do you mean?" Her heart was thumping so hard, she sounded breathless.

He was exasperated by her pretence. "I'm proposing to you, of course!"

"What? But you have not even said those three little words to me, how can you expect me to marry you?" She struggled to get up from the floor.

"I love you, Jin Sun-mi." On bended knee, he 'touched' her hand with his lips. "Marry me, please."

Sun-mi's nod was all the answer he wanted. Moments later, in his embrace, she heard him ask, "Do you like this house? I bought it specially for you."

"You were so sure I would agree to marry you?"

He smiled and looked at the sparkling diamond ring on her finger. "I was not sure but I had hoped."

She had to ask him one final question. "I want you to tell me the truth."

"What?"

"Did you deliberately have Jin-su and I eliminated in the contest?"

He smiled slyly, "What do you think?"

THE END.


♥Destiny is not a matter of chance; it is a matter of choice.
It is not a thing to be waited for; it is a thing to be achieved.♥

~ William Jennings Bryan ~

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Remark: Please forgive me for any e&o in this story. Thank you for your support.
Margie