AAE Deejay and the Prince
Author: Margie L
2003-11-09

Scene I

"Thank you for listening in and remember to tune into next week's program. Our guest is none other than South Korea's most eligible bachelor, Yin Xiang Zhe! Be with us! This is your DJ, Zhen San Mei, wishing you Goodnight."

Phew, finally! She loves her job but lately she has been feeling so stressful. Stretching her arms, San Mei emitted an exaggerated sigh of relief. Running her hair through her curly mop, she quickly gathered up her things. If she wants to catch San San before her bedtime, she should be heading home straight away.

She has decided to give in to San San's naggings and go away on a holiday with her. The 16 year-old brat has been complaining that she sees the TV stars more often than she does own sibling! She constantly reminds San Mei of her promise to take her on a holiday to Hawaii during the school break. Just in case her sister decides to feign amnesia, she would deliberately plays Elvis' "Blue Hawaii" on full blast every morning while preparing for school. Even when she answers San Mei's calls, she would say "Aloha" in lieu of the standard greeting of answering the phone.

San Mei wanted to surprise her sister with the good news. After next week's program, they would be able to travel to Hawaii! Her boss has approved her leave and she had even made all the arrangements. She had also picked up the tickets during her lunch hour. But just as she was about to leave, her extension trilled.

"San Mei, lucky I caught you. Could you come into my office for a moment, please?"

"Is it anything urgent, Chief? Can it wait until tomorrow?" San Mei has great respect for her boss, Chief Hu, but he had caught her at the wrong time. She looked impatiently at her watch.

"Yes, it's something urgent and no, it cannot wait until tomorrow." The final click of the phone echoed his words.

Hoping that the chief would not keep her too long, she quickly made her way to his office. She tapped softly on the door and entered. Chief Hu was seated at his desk. His guest was sitting in front of him with his back to San Mei.

"Ah San Mei, come in. Don't stand there as if you're about to dash out again."

Chief Hu's guest had also stood up and had turned around to face San Mei. He smiled at her and indicated her presence with a nod.

"I would like to introduce your next week's guest to you. Xiang Zhe, this is Ms. Zhen San Mei. San Mei, this is Mr. Yin Xiang Zhe." Chief Hu said satisfactorily, as if he was introducing his son-in-law to San Mei.

Yin Xiang Zhe held out his hand and smiled. "I apologise for the sudden request to meet you. As I shall be away on a short business trip, tonight is the only free time I have."

However, before San Mei could respond, her cell phone rang. She excused herself and answered San San's call.

"Onni, just wanted to tell you I have kept some soup for you. Remember to drink it when you get home." San Mei thought her sister did not sound like her usual self. She had forgotten her usual "Aloha" dig at her.

"Are you going to bed now? I have a surprise for you. Will you wait up for me?"

"I had a difficult match in school and I'm dog tired. Wake me up when you get home."

"Hey, wait..." Her sister had already hung up. She must have looked crestfallen because Chief Hu worriedly asked her if her sister was all right.

"She's fine and has gone to bed." San Mei realized that she had kept them both waiting.

"I'm sorry about the interruption. I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Yin."

Chief Hu said, "Sit down, San Mei. Mr. Yin, our station is really honoured that you have agreed to the interview. We assure you that we will not be asking you any questions that you would not be comfortable answering. I'm proud to say that San Mei is a very diplomatic deejay. All our previous guests have been very satisfied with her interviewing skill."

"I'm a faithful follower of Ms. Zhen's program, so I'm aware of her capability. In fact, I agreed to this interview because of Ms. Zhen." Yin Xiang Zhe's attention included Chief Hu but lingered on San Mei.

He spoke to her, "Ms. Zhen, you're surprisingly quiet for a deejay. The deejays I am acquainted with are just the opposite."

She smiled absentmindedly. "Oh, I do talk -- it's just that ... Hope you would not feel offended, Mr. Yin, but I do need to get back." She stood up.

"San Mei! How could you be so impolite?" Chief Hu's face was red with embarrassment. He had just told his esteemed guest how diplomatic she was and now, she is telling him she has to leave. Yin Xiang Zhe had not even told her what he wanted of her.

Xiang Zhe magnanimously nodded his head. "It's all right, Chief Hu. It's my fault for not having given notice of my visit. Ms. Zhen, I would just like to know beforehand what questions you would be presenting to me at next week's interview."

Impressed by his understanding, San Mei laughed, "I have not drawn up the questions yet. However, since you're our most eligible bachelor, I must warn you to expect some 'personal' questions. Are you worried?"

Xiang Zhe pretended to frown and asked, "Am I so obvious?"

San Mei laughed again and he laughed with her.

"I really must be going. I will e-mail the questions to you for your approval. Will that be acceptable to you?"

"That would be fine. Don't let me keep you any longer. I will leave my e-mail address with Chief Hu. Thank you, Ms. Zhen." He shook her hand again.


Scene II

When she returned home, San San was fast asleep. San Mei smiled fondly at her sister and pulled the comforter over her. She placed the tickets against the night lamp and switched off the light.

She thought again of her meeting with Yin Xiang Zhe. No wonder he is the most eligible bachelor in South Korea. He does seem to be a specimen of male perfection.

On the day of the interview, Yin Xiang Zhe turned up 30 minutes earlier for a briefing with San Mei. She had e-mailed him the questions the week before. When he returned from his trip, he had called her to say that he had no objections to her questions. He had left her script intact -- even the questions on his personal affairs.

San Mei was extremely grateful with his obliging attitude. If he had rejected some questions, she would have to change the script. Right now, she was already so busy running here and there, getting everything ready for her holiday with her sister.

San San had been over the moon when she saw the tickets. She had rushed into San Mei's room very early the next morning and almost crushed San Mei while she was still sleeping in her enthusiastic embrace. Her excitement had rubbed off on San Mei.

When San Mei told her sister who would be her guest for her next program, her sister's face became animated.

"Really, the very Yin Xiang Zhe?"

"Yes, you know who he is?" She was surprised a 16 year-old would know of anyone in the economic world.

"Of course I know who he is. He is the handsomest and richest man in South Korea!" Her sister gushed.

"I should think he is twice your age. Don't you think he is a bit too old for you?"

"Yeah, I guess he is at that." San San suddenly perked up. "But I heard he has a much younger brother. Maybe he is as handsome as Yin Xiang Zhe?"

San Mei laughingly surrendered, "I give up!"


Scene III

Yin Xiang Zhe's voice broke into her thoughts.

"A penny for your thoughts and another for your smile, Ms. Zhen."

"I beg your pardon?" San Mei suddenly recalled that she was supposed to be briefing Ying Ziang Xhe.

'I must admit this is the first time I've been treated like I'm part of the furniture." He pretended to be hurt that she had neglected him.

"I really am so sorry. But something my sister did made me smile, that's all."

"I can tell you love your sister very much. How old is she?"

"San San is 16 years and my only family -- so we're really close. Our parents died a few years ago. She's stubborn, hot-headed but has a heart of gold."

"Do you look alike?"

"Many people have commented that we do, but I couldn't see any similarity."

San Mei suddenly noticed the time. "It's almost time. Are you ready, Mr. Yin? Oh, I forgot to tell you. We would be taking questions from our listeners. Do you have any objections to that?"

When Xiang Zhe replied that he did not have any objections, San Mei started the interview.

After giving the listeners a brief run down on YXZ's prolific achievements, San Mei proceeded with the questions.

San Mei served the volley, "Mr. Yin, there were rumours that you have had many love affairs and reportedly, you're dating a young starlet many years your junior. Would you care to comment?"

Xiang Zhe's voice was calm as he replied, "Ms. Zhen, one should not believe everything that's reported in the media. If I have had so many love affairs, would I still be single? As for the starlet, she is the daughter of one of my father's associates. To be frank, I used to be very affected by all these fabricated reports when I was younger. Now, I have grown another layer of dermis that has made me immune to the inaccuracies. Rather than make a fuss over them, I just ignore them."

"Mr. Yin, I understand your parents divorced when you were still young. Were you badly affected by this?" When Xiang Zhe's brows knitted together, San Mei hastily added, "I mean, maybe your parents' divorce had something to do with your single status. Do you agree?"

Yin Xiang Zhe hesitated a second before replying, "Yes, I do agree with you Ms. Zhen. My parents' break up had made me think twice about relationships. I do not want my children to have to go through what I did when my parents divorced. When I fall in love, it would be forever. And if I do marry, it would be for a lifetime. I would never agree to a divorce." His serious tone implied his sincerity.

His candor touched a chord in San Mei. Could there really be such a man like Yin Xiang Zhe?

She cleared her throat, "Well, the next question is an impromptu one. I hope you won't mind, Mr. Yin?"

"Go ahead."

"You said, "When you fall in love", does this mean that your Miss Right has still eluded you?"

The question caught him offguard. He shrugged and hedged, "I would just say that is correct; until recently."

"You mean you have now found Ms. Right?" San Mei tried to sound happy for him but could not suppress the sinking feeling in her heart.

He looked at her and nodded, "Yes, I have."

San Mei tried to sound cheery as she joked. "She must be a special person to win the heart of South Korea's most eligible bachelor. Congratulations Mr. Yin! I would not be surprised if your coveted title goes to someone else next year."

Xiang Zhe chuckled. "That would be too soon to predict. I have not even told her yet how I feel about her."

Chief Hu signaled to them and pointed to his watch.

"Mr. Yin, we will now take calls from our listeners. Okay, this is the first one."

The caller wanted to know whom the lucky girl was and why Xiang Zhe had not expressed his feelings to her. He declined to reveal her identity but replied that he would let her know how he feels when the time is right. He does not want to scare her away.

Another caller asked if she were one of his father's friends? He replied in the negative.

After several calls -- every one trying to find out about the mystery girl -- the final one came through.

"Mr. Yin, I would like to know if you're a good kisser?"

San Mei signed a cutting motion at the throat to Chief Hu. He ignored her as this was an interesting question.

She looked at Yin Xiang Zhe to see if he was offended.

He replied patiently with humour. "I wouldn't know. I have to kiss myself to find out!"

San Mei and everyone in the room laughed at his witty answer.

"I bet Ms. Zhen would know. Why don't you kiss Ms. Zhen? Then, she can tell us if you're a good kisser or not."

Everyone looked at San Mei with amused and expectant looks. She was the only one not amused.

"Oh, sorry, I'm afraid it's almost time to say goodnight." She tried to squirm out of this problem.

Chief Hu waved at her not to end the program. There was still another five minutes.

"Ms. Zhen, we're waiting for your verdict." San Mei thought the persistent caller's voice sounded familiar. Hey, could it be that rascal?

Xiang Zhe spoke up, "If Ms. Zhen is willing, I would I would be happy for her to be the judge. Ms. Zhen? He had turned towards San Mei and was pulling her swivel chair towards him. He was dipping his head towards her lips. She had no time to object.

He kissed her softly at first, encouraging her to respond. She kept her lips closed. Then his lips became stronger and more demanding. San Mei felt someone had ignited a fire in her heart and she felt herself responding to his kiss.

"Hey, Ms. Zhen? What's your verdict?" San Mei definitely knows that voice but she had to pretend she doesn't. Just wait till she gets home!

Xiang Zhe reluctantly released her with an unreadable look in his face.

She cleared her throat and avoided looking at Yin Xiang Zhe. "Erm, well, Mr. Yin's definitely a good kisser."

"I'm sorry this is ending too soon." Realising she sounded as if she meant the kiss, she quickly added, "I mean it's time we say goodnight to our listeners. Our station would like to express a sincere thank you to Mr. Yin Xiang Zhe." San Mei indicated her thanks to him and asked him if he would like to say anything to the listeners.

"It is entirely my pleasure. When I agreed to do this show, I had never thought I would have such a good time here. Actually, I have to thank Ms. Zhen for being such a good sport and a great host. Given the chance, I would like to be here again -- even if I am no longer the most eligible bachelor!"

"Thank you, Mr. Yin. You would be most welcomed back. Dear listeners, for the next 2 weeks, while I am away, my colleague will take over my program. Thank you for listening in. Hope you have enjoyed it. This is Zhen San Mei wishing you a Goodnight."

"You're taking leave, Ms. Zhen?" Xiang Zhe asked.

"Yes. I had promised my sister that we would go for a holiday in Hawaii during the school break. If you need a tape of this program, Chief Hu will provide you with one." She held out her hand and thanked him again.

He took her hand and held it with both hands. "You don't have to thank me. I should have agreed to an interview earlier." He added, "I hope you don't mind about the kiss."

Although she replied airily that she did not mind, her face had turned as red as a lobster. She noticed he was still holding her hand.

"When are you leaving for Hawaii? I have been to Hawaii several times. By the way, which hotel will you be staying in? I might be able to recommend a better hotel for you."

San Mei told him all he wanted to know. He acknowledged approval for the hotel the travel agent had booked for them.

"Well, have a good holiday in Hawaii. Shall I give you a lift home?"

She politely declined his offer, saying she usually gets a ride from her colleague.

At the entrance of the station, Xiang Zhe made a quick call to his assistant and gave him some instructions.

"Mr. Yin!" Chief Hu was running towards Xiang Zhe. "I was wondering if we could meet up next week? I would like to buy you lunch to thank you."

"Next week? I'm afraid I will be in Hawaii!"


To Be Continued... AAE Hawaiian Pursuit