AAE THROUGH ROSE TINTED GLASSES

PART I
WRITTEN BY: MARGIE L.

On hearing the key in the lock, Sun-mi dashed out of her room. "Well? Shall I bring out the champagne?" But when she saw her housemate's crestfallen face, she knew the champagne would have to remain in the refrigerator.

"Oh-oh. You didn't get the job?"

The diminutive Cho-jae flopped onto the sofa and emitted a sigh. "I wish I hadn't listened to you. It was a waste of time and energy going for the interview."

Sun-mi sat down beside her friend and placed an arm around her shoulders.

"Cheer up. It's not the end of the world." Taking Cho-jae's hands in hers, she added, "Don't give up. Sooner or later, you'll get the job you want."

"I wish I could be as confident as you," Cho-jae smiled and continued, "or as pretty. But I'm neither, so --"

"There you go again," Sun-mi admonished. "I've told you many times, I don't believe that nonsense. There are employers who look beyond a woman's beauty."

"Alright, then. Let me ask you this." Cho-jae suggested. "How many interviews have you attended before you got your offer?"

"Only one."

"Only one; and this is the company that you're going to work for, right?"

Sun-mi nodded.

"Now you ask me the same question."

Sun-mi obliged Cho-jae.

Showing seven digits to Sun-mi, she replied, "Seven! Seven nerve-racking interviews in 12 months and I'm still jobless!" Frustration clouding her face, Cho-jae was near tears. "Do you see now? Doors would open only to beautiful women. Women with my kind of looks would only get their noses flattened!"

"I still don't believe that." Sun-mi argued. An idea came to her mind. "Let's make a bet."

Cho-jae looked at Sun-mi. "What kind of bet?"

"Well, I have a month before I'm supposed to start work. So, I'll use this one month to try to find a job - under disguise as an 'ugly duckling.'"

Cho-jae was immediately excited, so Sun-mi continued, "I win, if while under disguise, I'm offered a job at the first interview I attend. You'd then have to admit you were wrong all along."

"What if you fail?"

"IF -- in capital letters -- If I fail, then besides eating humble pie, I will pay your share of the rent and all other expenses for 1 year." In truth, Sun-mi had already decided on offering, but she knew Cho-jae's too proud to accept her good intentions.

After sealing their wager with a handshake, Sun-mi went all out to turn herself from Swan to Ugly Duckling!

AAE: Thru' Rose-Tinted Glasses
PART 2 (End)
Written by: Margie L

Sun-mi decided not to overdo her transformation. She had never considered herself a raving beauty anyway. She borrowed a pair of discarded glasses from Cho-jae's fashionable grandmother. The frame was black and the lens, rose-tinted. She used a black eyebrow pencil to darken her eyebrow and drew a dark line under her eyes with black kohl. She marked a 'mole' near her lips and applied a dark maroon lipstick on her lips. Her silky, shoulder-length dark brown hair was pushed back from her forehead with a black velvet headband. When Cho-jae saw her transformation, she was more confused rather than repulsed.

She surveyed Sun-mi's appearance and said hesitatingly, "I don't know if I should ask you change your look. You look 'vampish'; hardly ugly." She paused, and then added, "What if your grand-daddy sees you in that get-up?"

Sun-mi had not told her grand-daddy that she has landed a job. But it was him who suggested that she apply for this job.

"Don't worry, he won't be there. I told him not to let on that we're related. I want to succeed on my own merit -- and looks." She grinned at Cho-jae. "Besides, there are other applicants, so I may not even get the job.

***

"Good morning, I'm Jin Sun Mi." She pretended not to have noticed the receptionist's aversion to her appearance and continued, "I'm here for an interview."

"You are applicant No. 3. The first applicant is still being interviewed. Please have a seat."

Sun-mi sat down next to applicant No. 2 -- a young man. She smiled at him. He eyed her up and down with distaste and moved further away from her. Sun-mi shrugged and picked up a magazine to read. Engrossed in an article on restoration of old paintings, she was unaware when the receptionist called her name.

"Miss Jin Sun-mi!"

"Yes?" She looked up and saw the receptionist's annoyed frown. She hastily replaced the magazine on the table, gathered up her things and stood up. "The gentleman has left?"

"About 5 minutes ago." The receptionist replied curtly, "You're keeping our President waiting." The President of the company is conducting the interview? It must be an important post.

She said brightly, "Sorry. Lead the way please." Checking that her light blue satin shirt was properly buttoned and her navy blue business suit crease-free, she followed the receptionist down the hallway to the executive suite.

***

After the lengthy interview, Sun-mi left the president's office. Deep in thought, she walked with head down holding her personal file close to her chest. She got the job! Should she accept this offer or the first offer? Actually, she did not need to work at all because she's a financially independent woman. Her late parents had endowed her with a generous inheritance. She wanted to work for job satisfaction. Also, she didn't want to be an idler; dipping into her inheritance each time she needs money.

"Miss, look out!" If not for the warning, she would have walked into the glass doors of the entrance.

"Thanks for the warning." She looked at the young man who had saved her from ending up a casualty.

"You should look where you're going. You almost walked into the doors."

"And I've already thanked you." She replied brusquely.

He looked slightly hurt by her rebuke, but said nothing. She made her way towards a waiting taxi without a backward glance at the young man.

After the taxi had driven off, Hyung-chul's eyes caught a glint of a shiny object on the ground. He picked up the object. It was a silver bracelet with three small heart-shaped lockets attached.

He opened the lockets one by one. Inside each locket was photograph. One was of a young woman while the other two were of an elderly couple; probably parents of the young woman. He looked closer at the smiling picture of the young woman. It was the young lady who almost walked into the doors. Even without the glasses, the kohl-lined eyebrows and the 'mole', he could still recognize her. He pocketed the bracelet and left word with the security on duty about his find. Towing his luggage behind him, he headed for his grandma's office.

On the way back to her apartment, Sun-mi contemplated on the possible reasons she was offered the job. Was it her paper qualifications that impressed madam president or was it entirely due to her granddad's influence? After all, he and madam president were old friends. She touched her wrist to feel the bracelet. Realising it was missing from her wrist, she became anxious. The bracelet -- her late parents' gift to her - was like her security blanket. Whenever she was down, confused or sad, all she had to do was touch the bracelet and she would feel comforted. She had to go back to the place where she boarded the taxi to look for it.

Before the taxi could even come to a complete stop, Sun-mi was already opening the door. She hurried to the security and inquired if they had found a bracelet near the entrance.

"Was it a silver bracelet with 3 lockets?" the young security staff asked.

"Yes!" Sun-mi was elated. "You found it?"

"No, I did not find it. It was Mr. Yun who did."

"Mr. Yun?" She looked around to see if anyone resembled a 'Mr. Yun.'

"He notified us that he found your bracelet."

"Well, where can I find Mr. Yun -- for heaven's sake!" She was really annoyed by the young guard's 'slow' response.

"There's no need to find him. He is right behind you!" The guard replied -- standing at attention upon seeing the new arrivals.

Sun-mi immediately twirled around. Sure enough, it was the same gentleman she had rebuked earlier. And standing beside him was Madam President.

"You're looking for me for your own sake -- not heaven's, right?" He was laughing at her. She ignored his jibe and bowed at Madam President.

"Hyung-chul, do stop teasing. Sun-mi, don't mind this mischievous grandson of mine." The old lady smiled and said. "Return the bracelet to Sun-mi at once, you naughty boy!"

The 'naughty boy' grinned and pulled out the bracelet from his pocket.

"Thank you." Sun-mi took the bracelet from Hyung-chul.

"Where are you going now? Why don't you join us for lunch?"

Aware of a pair of piercing eyes watching her, Sun-mi quickly declined. "Oh ... thank you, Madam President. But I'm meeting a friend for lunch."

"That's okay. Since you'll be joining our company, we have plenty of time." Patting her hand, the old lady accepted her excuse.

"But, Madam, I have decided that I can't accept your offer."

The old lady stiffened and looked sternly at Sun-mi. "Why not?"

"Well," nervous of the old lady's stern look, Sun-mi gulped and replied, "Actually, I have decided to accept a previous offer."

"Then why did come for the interview and waste my time?"

Hyung-chul knows his grandma's tactics very well. She was trying to 'railroad' Sun-mi into accepting her offer. He decided to rescue her from his grandma's 'jaws'.

"We'll be late for father's flight if we don't hurry."

Holding firmly onto his grandma's elbow, he gently ushered her to the entrance.

"I've been waiting on him hand and foot for years. It's his turn to wait for me." The old lady turned back to Sun-mi. "Young lady, I'm going to give your grandfather a piece of my mind," she warned.

"But ... what has this got to do with my grand-daddy?"

"Of course it has," the old lady snorted. "He insisted that I hire you!"

***

On the Friday of her first week at work, Sun-mi offered to buy dinner for her staff. She also invited Cho-jae whom she had managed to get hired in finance. She learned that the president's grandson had also started the same day -- as finance director and Cho-jae's boss. He had returned to Korea from England the day of Sun-mi's interview with his grandmother.

Sun-mi and her staff were all waiting at the entrance for Cho-jae. "Sun-mi! I'm here!"

Sun-mi turned around and noticed a tall figure walking behind Cho-jae. She greeted Hyung-chul politely. She had felt guilty at her rudeness the first time they crossed paths.

"Good evening, Director." She smiled. "See you next week."

 He smiled and nodded his head.

Cho-jae pulled at Sun-mi's jacket sleeve. "Sun-mi, I'm sorry," she whispered. "When I told him you were buying dinner, he said he would like to join us."

"Ah?" She looked at the smiling Hyung-chul.

"I hope you don't mind?" He knew what they were whispering about.

Sun-mi replied, "Oh! Of course I don't mind. We'd be honoured to have Director Yun along, wouldn't we?" The staff obligingly cheered. The ladies were definitely happy to have the handsome and suave boss join them.

They trooped into two cars and headed for the restaurant. Hyung-chul hopped into Sun-mi's car without being asked. Cloistered in the car with him, Sun-mi felt tense and unnerved by his closeness. However, she was good at concealing her feelings. Hyung-chul had not idea at all of his effect on her -- or so she thought.

After the dinner, Sun-mi pulled out her credit card to settle the bill. Hyung-chul placed his hand lightly on her arm.

"It's my treat." He made to take the bill from her.

"No. I've said I would be buying, so I'm paying for it," she said firmly, holding the bill away from Hyung-chul.

"I'm also a new staff. I'll take care of it," he countered.

"No way! I'm buying." Sun-mi insisted. She handed her credit card to the cashier.

Hyung-chul decided not to argue with her.


When he said he would take a taxi back to the office to pick up his car, she insisted on dropping him off. They drove in silence. Cho-jae was dozing quietly in back seat.

Hyung-chul suddenly spoke up. "Jin Sun-mi."

"Hmm?"

"May I ask you a personal question?"

"Before I say yes, let me warn you I'm quite a sensitive person. Ask only if you think your question won't offend me." She looked at him then smiled.

"Don't worry, it won't be an offensive question." He laughed quietly. "Is that your picture in the locket?"

"Locket?" She stepped on the brake in surprise. "You mean the lockets on my bracelets? You peeked into my lockets?" She was annoyed at the intrusion of her privacy.

"I didn't mean to peek. I saw your bracelet on the ground and I had to find out who it belonged to me, didn't I?" he replied calmly. "How can I return it to its owner if I didn't know who it belonged to?"

She admitted he was right. "You're right. Yes, that's me in the picture."

"You look so different from the picture."

Sun-mi laughed. She thought it funny when she realised that she had continued with the charade of wearing the glasses, drawing the mole, the kohl-lined eyebrows.

"I look different because this appearance is not my true self." She told him about her bet with Cho-jae. After that, she removed her glasses. "Thank heavens, I don't need to wear these glasses anymore. They're so uncomfortable."

"Stop the car."

"Why? We're already near the company."

"Just stop."

"Okay, I've stopped. What next?"

"Do you have a bottle of water?"

"Oh my God! You can't do it here - this is a public road." She tried to start the engine. "Hold on. I'll get you to the office so you can use the restroom."

"You thought I needed to use the restroom?" He laughed out loud. "Jin Sun-mi!" He shook his head. "I've never met anyone like you."

She handed a bottle of mineral water to him. He took out his handkerchief and wet the edge of it with the mineral water. He moved closer to Sun-mi, tilted her chin and rubbed gently on her face to erase the fake mole. He wet the edge more and cleaned the kohl from her eyebrows. Her naturally well-shaped eyebrows emerged. Finally, he pulled the band from her hair. Her soft, dark brown hair tumbled forward -- framing her face with soft tendrils, the streetlights casting a halo around the top of her hair. She had already cleaned off her dark brown lipstick after dinner. As she not reapplied her lipstick, her lips were a natural pink. He studied her face for several minutes without saying a word.

"Now you look exactly like the picture in the locket."

Sun-mi's face felt flushed. She turned her head in Cho-jae's direction -- afraid that her friend had witnessed Hyung-chul's actions. But she was still sound asleep. She hastily started up the engine.

"I better drop you off and pack 'Sleeping Beauty' off to her own bed."

"I want to make sure you arrive home safely." He told her. "After you drop me off, I will follow you back in my car."

"That won't be necessary." She rejected his offer. "My home's not very far from our company. Besides, I'm not alone."

"That may be so but anything could happen even during a short journey," he argued. "You may get a flat tyre." When she wanted to continue arguing, he stopped her. "Just say yes, otherwise we would be here the whole night because I'm not budging."

"Oh, alright," she relented grudgingly. If he wishes to cause inconvenience to himself, she would not stop him.

"Good." He looked at her and continued, "You must have been a debater in school or university because you like to argue."

"Yes, I was." They laughed when both saw the funny side of the situation.

***

Sun-mi reverted to her natural appearance the following workday. And although she noticed many surprised glances from the staff, they did not say anything. Later in the day, the president summoned Sun-mi to her office.

"You look different. What have you done to yourself?"

"I was merely playing a charade when I came as I was during the interview."

"Well, you look much better like this." The president hands a file to Sun-mi. "I have received a complaint from one of the female staff. Read for yourself."

 It was an official complaint by one of the secretaries. She claimed that she was sexually harassed by her boss and wanted the president to take action against him. She threatened to go public if the management refuses to help her redeem her self-respect.

"This lady is Director Yun's secretary." Sun-mi couldn't believe that Hyung-chul was capable of such despicable attitude. "Is she really complaining about Director Yun?"

The president nodded. "I couldn't believe it either. I know my grandson. This is not like him at all; but as management, I have an obligation to investigate this complaint." She looked at Sun-mi. "Since you're in charge of human relations, this is your case. I know you're on good terms with my grandson, but you have to be impartial. I trust my grandson, so I'm not worried at all about this young lady's complaint. She must have a reason for doing this. And I want you to find out what her reason is."

"Does Director Yun know about this?"

"Not yet. I'll leave that to you." The president peered at Sun-mi through her glasses. "You do know what to do, don't you?"

Sun-mi hesitated. "Honestly, I'm not sure. This is my first job and I haven't any experience in dealing with this kind of complaints." She added. "I guess I'd have to talk to both of them -- starting with the complainant. But before that, I'd have to read the report first."

"You're a sensible girl, Sun-mi, and I have faith in your ability to solve this." The president smiled reassuringly at Sun-mi. "Well, you better get on with it. Report to me after you've spoken to both of them."

That night. Sun-mi read the secretary's complaint thoroughly. She claimed that she was alone working late one night last week when the director called her into his office. When she went in, he locked the door and put his arms around her.

In her report, the secretary wrote --

'My boss, Yun Hyung-chul told me that he has been thinking that I needed a holiday. When I said I didn't need one, he insisted that I did. He said that I needed to travel with him to Japan. He would take me out to nice restaurants and Kabuki shows. All I needed to do was to keep him company and he would pay me generously for the trip. He then tried to kiss me.'

Although she felt sickened by the secretary's claims, her mind refused to 'digest' the thought that Hyung-chul would resort to harassing his staff to get what he wants. She has been out with him and other staff a couple of times. In fact, all the ladies could vouch that he is a perfect gentleman. But what she thinks isn't important. She has to prove he was incapable of doing what his secretary claimed.

The next morning, Sun-mi called Hyung-chul. She asked to meet him and his secretary together in the meeting room. Sun-mi's secretary was also present to take down the minutes of the investigation.

***

When they were gathered in the room, Hyung-chul looked at Sun-mi with a puzzled frown. The secretary was nervously twirling her handkerchief in her hands.

Sun-mi addressed the secretary first. "Miss Kim, do you still stand by your complaint?" When the secretary hesitated, she smiled at her. "Do you?" The secretary nodded.

She then turned towards Hyung-chul. "Director Yun, the president has received a sexual harassment complaint against you from your secretary, Miss Kim."

Hyung-chul looked incredulously from Sun-mi to his secretary and back at Sun-mi. "Is this a joke?"

"This is not a joke, Director Yun." She pushed a copy of the file to Hyung-chul. He read it thoroughly. "Miss Kim, what is this you're saying about me? I have been harassing you? When did I ever do that?"

The secretary burst into tears. "He's threatening me, Ms. Jin!"

"Calm down." Sun-mi spoke in a soft and gentle tone. "Director Yun, please apologise to Ms. Kim." She used her eyes to plead with him to do as she says.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Kim. I was just surprised at your allegation," Hyung-chul said. "Even though we've only just started working together, I've always thought we had a good working relationship. This is a serious allegation you're making against me. My reputation is at stake. Has someone forced you into doing this? Tell me who it was. I promise I'll do my best to help you."

Ms. Kim looked away from Hyung-chul's earnest face. "No one's making me do this. You said everything I wrote on my complaint! You really tried to tear off my clothes and kiss me."

"I what?"

Sun-mi interrupted Hyung-chul. "He tried to tear off your clothes?" Sun-mi interrupted. "You didn't mention that in your report."

The secretary raised alarmed eyes at Sun-mi. "Yes, he did! I was upset and I forgot to write that, okay?" She was also upset at that minute.

"Okay, we'll accept you forgot." She calmed the secretary and continued, "Do you still have the torn clothes with you? It could help your statement."

"No! I mean I have thrown them away. I didn't want to be reminded of what he did!"

"Fine, Miss Kim." Sun-mi looked down at the report and caught on something. "I noticed that you did not mention when this incident happened. What day was it when Director Yun 'attacked' you?"

"I object!" Hyung-chul could not tolerate any more injustice on his good name. "I did not attack her!"

Sun-mi replied. "I will rephrase that. When did Director Yun harass you?"

The secretary thought for a while before replying, "It was a Friday night."

Hyung-chul's eyes met Sun-mi's.

"Friday night. What time was it then?"

"Well, it was around 8.00 p.m. I remember because I was just about to leave for dinner."

"Let me ask you to verify again. Your allegation is based on what Director Yun did to you on last Friday, around 8.00 p.m.?"

"Yes, I verify that."

Sun-mi turned to her secretary to confirm that she has noted everything down. "Could you please type that out and let me have it as soon as possible?" She thanked the secretary and told her that she may get back to her work.

After both secretaries had left, Sun-mi stood up. She faced Hyung-chul. "You should know that you're cleared. But I have to hand in a report to Madam President."

"It's fortunate that I was with you on Friday night. Would you have believed me if I could not prove my innocence?"

"Firstly, you were not with me. I don't like your intonation. There were 7 other persons at the restaurant, remember? Secondly," she added in a softer tone, "I would have believed you."

"Thank you." He looked puzzled. "I wonder what is her motive for slandering me?"

"Don't worry. Your grand-mother will be able to find out."

Madam President showed Miss Kim a picture taken by Cho-jae. It was at the dinner that Sun-mi had given for her staff. The picture clearly shows Hyung-chul among the group. The date and time appearing on the picture were strong evidence of her fabricated complaint. Miss Kim broke down and confessed that she had lied.

She said that she was besotted by her boss and had tried many ways to make him notice her. She was angry when he did not realize it was her birthday last Friday. She was expecting a present or at least flowers from him. She thought up the allegation to make him notice her.

Although Hyung-chul did not want to take any action against Ms. Kim, Madam President decided to terminate her service. She did not want a repeat of a similar incident.

"You're too good looking for your own good." The president chided her grandson. "You should get yourself a wife so that all the other women will know you're taken."

Hyung-chul laughed. "Don't worry, I've learnt my lesson. From now on, I will take note of the birthday of my new secretary." He picked up the picture. "As for a bride, only time will tell."


Later that evening, Hyung-chul popped into Sun-mi's office. But her secretary told him that she has just left the office. Driving a few kilometers from the company, he spotted her car parked by the roadside. He drew up alongside Sun-mi's car and found her trying to change a flat tyre.

He leaned against his car and watched her for several seconds. She was muttering under her breath and had not noticed him. "I swear I'm never going to change another tyre again!" she yelped when she broke a fingernail.

She got up, pushed her hair from her and kicked at the tyre. "That does it, you rubber moron!" She finally noticed Hyung-chul. "How long have you been standing there? Why didn't you offer to help me?"

"I was on the verge of offering but I didn't like the feeling of being rejected."

Sun-mi retorted. "How did you I would reject your offer if you didn't ask?"

"From previous experiences." He walked towards her car and bent down. "You should let a professional handle this." He removed his jacket, handed it to Sun-mi and rolled up his sleeves. In a matter of minutes, he had the flat tyre replaced. He wiped his hands on his handkerchief.

"Gosh! You're really a professional." Sun-mi voiced her admiration for his tyre-changing skill. "It took me 10 minutes trying to unscrew a bolt." She noticed his streaky hands and went to her car. "Here, hold out your hands." She poured the bottle of water for him while he rinsed his hands. He took the bottle from her and like the previous time, moistened his handkerchief.

"Let me get that for you." He used the moist edge to wipe the streak from her brow and nose.

"I can do it. Thank you."

"You don't have anything else, do you? How about joining me for a drink?"

"I'm all messy and sweaty. I doubt I will be allowed into any pub," she suggested, "You go right ahead."

"Maybe we can make it dinner instead? I can pick you up from your place."

"I think not. Some other time."

"I just want to buy you dinner to thank you for solving the complaint."

"But I didn't do anything and you WERE innocent."

"There you go arguing again." This argumentative lady is really hard to ask out. "You should just say -- 'I accept your invitation, Hyung-chul. Thank you very much.'"

Sun-mi laughed. "You really want to buy me dinner?"

"As sure as the sea is blue," he nodded.

"Ok then. I accept your invitation, Director Yun. Thank you very much."

"Wow! Except for the name, you got everything right." He added, "You're finally so agreeable, I must take advantage of this."

"How?"

"This invitation includes dinner this evening and every other evening!"

She laughed again. "That way, you'll end up in the poorhouse in no time."

Hyung-chul replied. "Then I'll be pauper -- willingly."

~ THE END ~

Remarks -
Dear ladies, sexual harassment is a very real everyday occurrence anywhere. When I was still working, I had even experienced this first-hand. Although some women are brave enough to lodge official complaints, my guess is that there are many others out there who didn't. Malaysia has recently made it compulsory for companies to hire Sexual Harassment Officers as a measure to sexual harassment in the workplace. Have a nice day all.

Margie